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JOURNAL 



OF THfc 



LIFE OF JOSEPH HOAG, 



AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, 



IN THE 



SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. 



^Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, yea, 
'saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do 
follow them."— Rev. xiv: 13. 



AUBURN : 

KNAPP & PECK, PRINTERS, AUBURN JOURNAL OFFICE, 

No. 118 Genesee-st, Colonnade Block, Auburn. 
1861. 



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At a Meeting for Sufferings, of New York Yearly Meeting of 
Friends, held at Poplar Ridge, Cayuga County, New York, 
5th month, 29th, 1861 : 

The examination of the manuscript Journal of our late be- 
loved Friend, Joseph Hoag, having occupied this meeting 
during several previous sittings, was concluded at this time ; 
and believing that the valuable contents thereof, are worthy 
to be preserved and read by the community at large, it was 
concluded to publish the same. 

Signed by direction of the meeting, 

Aaron Mekekl, Clerk. 



PREFACE, 



Believing it to be the will of God, that the righteous 
should be held in remembrance, and having ample evidence, 
both in Scripture testimony and the accounts left on record, 
of the great benefit such remembrances have been to indi- 
viduals and to the Church of Christ at large ; it is thought 
best that the following accounts left by our worthy deceased 
Friend, Joseph Hoag, to his children, should be added to 
the " cloud of witnesses " that have gone before, all testi- 
fying to the Mercy of God in Christ Jesus, through the 
manifestation of His grace, to save the people from their 
sins. There are many still living, up and down in this 
land, (for he was very generally known), who can testify 
to his zeal in the Lord, and his labors of love, in persuad- 
ing his fellow-creatures to " come ? taste and see,_ that the 
Lord is good" 

He was as a sharp threshing-instrument in the Lord's 
hand, in rebuking sin, and all manner of iniquity; as will 
appear by the following pages : but to the humble, contrite 
ones, his words often fell as the dew of Hermon on the 
tender plants, which greatly endeared him to the upright 
in heart. He was a man of strong mental powers — by 



VI PREFACE, 

which, through the qualifying influence of God's grace 
abundantly bestowed, he was prepared as a judge, and 
counsellor in Israel, rightly to divide the Word, laying 
"judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet;" 
being quick of discernment in the fear of the Lord, and a 
zealous disturber of every false rest. Having in early life been 
convinced of the rectitude of the principles of the Society of 
Friends, (in which he was educated), he became warmly attach- 
ed thereto, and was never known to swerve therefrom, through 
the changing vicissitudes accompanying a life protracted to old 
age ; in which he suffered u perils by sea, perils by land, 
and perils amongst false brethren ; " for, as the Israelites of 
old, were troubled with their Korahs, Dathans, and Abirams, 
so the Church in his day, was afflicted at different pe- 
riods, with false teachers, who have brought in heresies, and 
taught doctrines, at variance with those upon which the 
Society was first established. These innovations grieved his 
spirit ; and as a faithful watchman on the walls of Zion, he 
was concerned to sound the alarm, and testify against their 
unsoundness ; notwithstanding which, many followed their 
pernicious ways, which finally resulted in the Hicksite seces- 
sion, and many trials and difficulties attending the introduc- 
tion of the unsound views of Joseph John Gurney. As the 
followers of each were numerous, and he drawing towards 
the close of life, he became greatly concerned for the 
preservation of his writings, lest they might fall into the 
hands of those who would utterly suppress, or pervert them ; 
knowing that they contained sentiments at variance with the 
principles of both of those leaders. He, therefore, took 
measures to guard against these evils, by adopting the fol- 
lowing course, and giving forth the subjoined testimony : 



PREFACE. Vll 

Mohkton, 1st month, 5th, 1846. 

Having, from my younger life, felt best to keep by writing, 
some account of the religious sendees and exercises, that from 
time to time I have passed through ; but of latter times I be- 
came uneasy relative to some circumstances which I had 
omitted to commit to writing ; also, about the place where my 
writings were, and no way seemed to open to have it otherwise, 
until my wife proposed that I should go and get Xarcissa 
Battey to write for me. This looked pleasant to me. Ac- 
cordingly, the past summer, I took my writings and earned 
them to Ezra Battey's, and feeling easy about their location, I 
have committed them to the care of Ezra and Hannah EL Bat- 
tey, with a request that they shall not deliver them to any 
other person, save myself ; and if they are permitted to remain 
in the hands of the said Ezra and Hannah, or either of them 
at the time of my decease, I hope, and do now request them 
to take especial care of them, and not suffer them to pass into 
the hands of any who would destroy them, or cause them to 
pass into oblivion ; as I believe some parts of them may prove 
of importance in a future time, and feeling assured that some 
parts of my writings are in opposition to the doctrines propo- 
gated by Elias Hicks, and many of those written by Joseph 
John Gurney, I am unwilling to have them fall into the hands 
of any persons who have, or may support either of the above 
named persons, or advocate either of their peculiar tenets ; and 
feeling confidence in the above named Ezra and Hannah, I 
therefore place, and have placed them with them for the pur- 
poses above named : And further — if by reason of death or 
otherwise, it shall appear necessary that they should be placed 
with some other person, I request, that those who do witness 



Vlll PREFACE. 

this procedure, or the survivors or survivor of them, should 
place them in the hands of some sound, substantial Friend or 
Friends, agreeably to the foregoing request 

Joseph Hoag. 

We being present, know the signer of the foregoing to do it 
of his own free act, and requested us to witness the same. 
Amos Battey, Ruth Battey, 

Moses Huntington, Elizabeth Huntington, 
Joshua F. Header, Joanna Worth. 

Although our deceased Friend was not highly learned in the 
literature of the age, and some of the expressions contained in 
the following journal may not suit the nice and critical taste of 
some readers, and may contain, in their view, some incidents of 
a trivial character ; yet, as we believe he was taught in the 
school of Christ, the compilers of this work thought it would 
be more interesting to the general reader, that no material 
change should be made in the language, and that it should be 
presented to the public, very nearly in its original form. 

We have endeavered in no instance, by change of language, 
to alter the meaning of the Author. 

The above statements relative to the disposition of Joseph 
Hoag's writings, are corroborated by the testimony of Starks- 
boro Monthly Meeting. 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I, 

Introductory remarks — Joseph Hoag ; s birth and parentage, with some 
account of his ancestors — Their convincement of the principles of 
Friends — His religious exercises in early life— Night vision — Impres- 
sions relative to a call to the Ministry— His father taken prisoner in 
the time of the revolutionary war — Trials and conflicts connected there- 
with — Severe sufferings on account of imbibing infidel principles — Re- 
markable testimonies of Abel Thomas — Impressions relative to water- 
baptism — His exercises connected with his first appearing in the Min- 
istry — Testimony of David Sands in confirmation of his call to the Min- 
istry, 9-47 

CHAPTER II. 

His marriage and settlement in business — Meets with losses — His house 
is burnt — Sufferings occasioned by an omission of duty — Remarks rel- 
ative to a prospect of settling in Little Nine Partners — The opening of 
a prospect to go to a new country — Removes, and settles in Charlotte, 
Vermont — Exercises relative to the settlement of. meetings — He visits 
some of the meetings within his own Quarterly Meeting — He visits his 
native place and parts adjacent — Visits the southern and eastern parts 
of his own Yearly Meeting — Near the close of the visit he has a mirac- 
ulous escape, 48-75 

CHAPTER III. 

Some account of the settlement of meetings for discipline — A prospect of 
paying a rejigious visit to New England, Nova Scotia, and the adjoin- 
ing British Provinces, opens with him— Sets out on this journey in the 



X CONTENTS. 

year 1801 — Attends New England Yearly meeting — Arrives at Nova 
Scotia in the 1th month following — Has a meeti&g in a barn, to which 
a tribe of Indians come — Sets sail for St. John's — Called upon to give 
an opinion of women's preaching — Falls in with the Swedenborgians — 
He meets with a close temptation — Arrives at Halifax, 16-103 

CHAPTER IV. 

He has large, favored meetings at Halifax, and in the neighborhood — Has 
a large meeting at a Baptist meeting-house, where several priests at' 
tend — His companion feeling at liberty to return home, it was a trial 
to part with him — Has a meeting at a private house at Digby, where 
he was led to address the mother of a family who mourned over an in- 
temperate husband — Foretells the death of the husband, which takes 
place very soon — Dispute between the New Lights and Methodists, 
each claiming a likeness to the Quakers — He visits some families of 
Friends who had resided there for many years — Was confined at Sam- 
uel Moore's for nearly three months, with sickness, during which time 
he was sorely tempted ; but, through Holy Help, was preserved — Af- 
ter his recovery, he returns to the States, and visits Martha's Vineyard, 
Nantucket, &c — Arrives at Yarmouth in 5th month, 1802 — Attends 
New England Yearly Meeting— In the 1th month he sets out for Port- 
land, with Peter Morrell for companion — Arrives at home early in the 
9th month — Record of some occurrences which took place during the 
foregoing journey, 104-138 

CHAPTER Y. 

Some account of difficulties within his own Monthly and Quarterly Meet- 
ing — In 1804 visits the eastern part of his own Quarterly Meeting — In 
1806 visits the south and east part of his own Yearly Meeting — In 
1801 performs a religious visit to Friends of Upper Canada and Farm- 
ington Quarterly Meeting — Late in the Fall, goes to Queensbury — 
Thence southwesterly, attending meetings until he got into Pennsyl- 
vania — Thence to Brothertown — At Unadilla was attacked by a Pres- 
byterian deacon — At a meeting afterwards, was opposed by a priest — 
Yisits meetings on the west side of the Hudson river — Thence to New 
York and attends the Yearly Meeting — Thence to West Chester and 
into Connecticut — Thence homeward, where he arrived after an ab- 
sence of about seven months — Yisits the southern part of his own 
Yearly Meeting — While on Long Island, was attacked by a Priest on 
the subject of election and reprobation — After an absence of about five 
months, returns home, , 139-115 



CONTENTS. XI 



CHAPTER VI. 



In 1812, he sets out on a religious visit to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting-, 
and to the settlements of Friends in the Southern States — He attends 
meetings in Philadelphia — Visits the Poor-house and State-prison at 
Baltimore. — Sad effects of Slavery on the Society of Friends — He is sin- 
gularly led in testimony at Goose Creek — Has a remarkable meeting at 
Washington — Attends Springfield Monthly Meeting, where he had a 
close testimony in the women's meeting — He is taken sick at Mount 
Pleasant, and apparently brought near the grave — Meets with, and has 
conversation with a General of the army at Knoxville — Afterwards has 
a satisfactory meeting at the same place with the soldiers and inhabi- 
tants — Has a meeting at Canada Creek, where he clears up the false 
charges brought against him by the Methodists — Attends North Caro- 
lina Yearly Meeting, after which he returns home — Account of a 
close testimony which he delivered at the above named Yearly -Meet- 
ing, •-.._. 116-209 

CHAPTER VII. 

In the year 1816, he sets out on a religious visit to Friends within the 
compass of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and North Carolina Yearly Meet- 
ings — Attends Warrington Quarterly Meeting, which was a favored 
time — Visits the family of our late Friend Abel Thomas — at Dear- 
Creek he was led to speak on the subject of Nebuchadnezzar's image- 
He has close labors in Redstone and vicinity — He describes the evil 
effects of Slavery on the minds of the people — Reviews his labors in 
those parts — Attends Philadelphia Yearly Meeting — Attends Bucking- 
ham Quarterly Meeting — At Darby is led in a very close and pointed 
manner to show how the unity of the Spirit of the Gospel is formed with 
and amongst brethren— Visits Westown School — Attends meetings in 
Baltimore — Attends a meeting appointed by Isaac Hammer of Tenesee 
— Mournful description of the sufferings of the Slaves, and the effects 
of Slavery on the people — After attending a number of appointed meet- 
ings, he and his companions were taken unwell in a very sickly part of 
the country; but soon felt at liberty to turn for the hill-country — He 
journeys to Alexandria, Washington, and Baltimore ; at the latter place 
he was led solemly to warn Friends against speculative enquiries — His 
exercises, and labors with Friends for being engaged in the distillery 
business — Attends many meetings in New Jersey; after winch he 
feels at liberty to return home. . , , , . , , . 210-236 



Xll CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER YIIL 

He remains at and about home for several years, during which time he 
had many deep trials — After which he feels his mind drawn in Gospel 
love, to visit Friends and others in the southern and western parts of 
his own Yearly Meeting— He proceeds to Queensbury, &c., and visits all 
the meetings about Saratoga — -Has a remarkable meeting in Duanes- 
burg Quarter — He is followed by, and has some conversation with 
some Ranters — Has a remarkable meeting in the neighborhood of Stan- 
ton-hill — -Proceeds to Cornwall Quarter — He assists in settling a difficul- 
ty amongst Friends, of long standing, at Rosendale — Singular testimo- 
ny at a meeting in Nine Partners Quarter — Singular circumstance with 
regard to a borrowed horse — He attends the Yearly Meeting, and soon 
returns home, where he arrived in the 6th month following, with' Ms 
mind richly filled with peace, 237-248 

CHAPTER IX. 

On the 6th of 12th month 1823, he leaves home, accompanied by Samuel 
Knowls, to perform a religious visit in the Northern and Western part3 
of his own Yearly Meeting, Ohio, Indiana, and some parts of North 
Carolina, Yearly Meetings — Passed on, taking meetings in the way till 
he reached Canada — Near Adolphus town he finds the Society in a 
sad state on account of spiritual pride— Attends the half-year's meet- 
ing — He proceeds to Norwich, and attends their Monthly Meeting — 
After returning to the States, he visits meetings within the limits of 
Farmington Quarter ; then sets forward for Ohio, and reached Salem 
the 2nd of 6th month, 1824 — At Concord he faUs in with a preacher 
from Long Island, and meets with him at other places — Has conversa- 
tion with him in regard to his false doctrines — Meets with him again 
at Ohio Yearly Meeting, where he is deeply tried with his remarks in 
relation to reading the Scriptures — After the Yearly Meeting, he re- 
turns to Redstone Quarter, and after visiting meetings thereabouts, he 
sets forward for Virginia, where he arrived in the 10th month, and 
soon proceeded to New Garden in North Carolina — He visits several 
meetings, and returns to New Garden, where, after delivering a reliev- 
ing testimony,he proceeds to Tennessee — He attends the Quarterly Meet- 
ing, for Tennessee, wherein he was comforted — After attending several 
other meetings, he left for Indiana — Proceeds in his visit in Indiana — 
Remarks on the appointment of Elders — Goes to Illinois in search of 
his wife's sister — Some account of her husband &c. — Returns to Indi- 
ana — At Sugar Creek, he gives Friends advice with regard to a person 
who had been disowned — He has a large, favored meeting at Indian- 



CONTENTS. X1U 

apolis — Returns to Ohio, and after being relieved of a burden that had 
long rested on his mind, he sets forward for home, 249-288 

CHAPTER X. 

Attends the Yearly Meeting in 1826 — Account of some conversation with 
Elias Hicks in 1819 — Some account of the Yearly Meeting in 182*7 — 
Yearly Meeting in 1828, with some particulars of the Hicksite separa- 
tion in that meeting ; also, the separation in his own, and Easton Quar- 
terly Meetings, and his exercises and labors therein, 289-308 

CHAPTER XI. 

In the year 1829, he proceeds on a visit to several of the Southern Quar- 
ters of his own Yearly Meeting — At a meeting at North Granville, he 
replies to a question put to him by an infidel — He receives an injury 
by being thrown from a carriage — After completing his visit, he pro- 
ceeds home, 309-334 

CHAPTER XII. 

In the year 1831, he attends the Yearly Meeting of New England — After 
it, visits Sandwich Quarterly Meeting with most of the meetings con- 
stituting it, in several of which he had deeply exercising labor — He at- 
tends fore and afternoon meetings at Providence ; an exercising time 
— He attends Salem Quarterly Meeting, which was painfully exerci- 
sing—Attends Dover and Falmouth Quarterly Meetings — He returns 
to Providence in 2nd month 1,832 — After attending some meetings in 
Smithfield Quarter, he proceeds to Wolfsboro on his return home — Ex- 
tracts from a letter to his wife and children, 335-353 

CHAPTER XIII. 

In the year 1832, he sets out to perform a religious visit to Friends in 
Upper Canada, and some parts of Farmington Quarterly Meeting; also 
to attend the Yearly Meeting at Philadelphia, &c. — He attends the half- 
year's meeting in C. W. — Proceeds to Lockport, Farmington &c. ; 
thence towards Philadelphia, and attended the Yearly Meeting — After 
it visits meetings in New Jersey — Attends New York Yearly Meeting, 
and returns home, . . 354-365 



XIV CONTENTS, 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Testimony at Starksboro Monthly meeting in 183*7 — Job S. Collins' ac- 
count of his visit in Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings — Account of 
returning minutes — He attends New York Yearly Meeting in 1842 — 
Obtains minutes to pay a religious visit to Friends within the limits of 
Indiana Yearly Meeting ; after performing which, he returns to Ohio — 
Willis & Ann Smith's account of his sickness, &c. — Account of returning 
minutes — He attends the Yearly Meeting of New York in 1845 — Min- 
utes of Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting — Some account of a discourse 
with a Friend at New York in 1846 — His Vision in the year 1803— 
Testimony of Starksboro Monthly Meeting concerning him, and giving 
some account of his last sickness and death, .- 366 — 389 



JOURNAL OF JOSEPH HOAG, 



CHAPTER L 



I have believed it right to leave to you, my children, the ac- 
count of some occurrences I have passed through in life, for your 
improvement ; and such counsel and remarks, as shall open on 
my mind in the clearness of gospel love and parental affection ; 
and also a short account of our forefathers from the first family ; 
for when I was in New England, I became acquainted with one 
branch of the family that informed me they had been in the 
practice of keeping the spread of the name ; and that their 
branch of fore-parents, had preserved some remarkable occur- 
rences that took place in the order of Providence, in the family, 
A woman, some in years, of bright abilities, who appeared 
sound in her memory, said she could well remember all the 
children of the first family that stayed in America, and that 
lived to be old ; and she had heard all three of the brothers, 
(when she was young), and the old man, relate the account of 
the occurrences that took place. 

I was born the 22d of the 4th month, 1762, being the son of 
Elijah and Phebe Hoag, and of the fifth generation from the 
first family, which came over from England, and settled not far 
from Hampton, and bound out their son John, an apprentice 
to a leather dresser and glove maker. Shortly after this, there 
came an advertisement from England, that there was a great 
estate fell to them, so they all returned but this boy, whose 
1 



10 JOURNAL OF 

master would not give him up ; so John remained an appren- 
tice under a hard master, without a friend to interfere or plead 
his cause, until he was of age, after which he married an only 
child whose maiden name was Emeiy, and with her he had an 
estate that placed him in good circumstance. It was remarked 
that he was a man of that calmness of mind and steadiness of 
deportment, that it was a rare thing to see him discomposed 
bv crossing occurrences. He was a man of fine natural abilities, 
and filled the place of side Judge in the County Court, until 
the taking up people for witchcraft, which he opposed with 
such steadiness and resolution, that he lost his seat, and his in- 
fluence with the people. He and his wife being zealous Pres- 
byterians, were well agreed in the education of their children, 
Their son, Joseph, while a young man, had it on his mind to 
go to a Friends' meeting ; he did so ; it proved a silent one ; 
there he became convinced, and soon joined the Society, be- 
came an acceptable minister, and lived to old age. It was be- 
lieved that he was faithful in his day, and died in good unity 
with his Friends. His becoming a Friend, caused great unea- 
siness and alarm in the family, so that they used all their en- 
deavors by persuasion and argument to turn him from it, but 
to no purpose, although he was a man the smallest in capacity 
of the males in the family, yet none of them could hold way 
with him in argument, in matters of religion. This so roused 
his brother Jonathan, that he went to the Priest with the piti- 
ful story, that Joseph had become possessed with the Quaker 
spirit, and so bewitched with it that they could not talk him 
out of it, nor do anything with him. He therefore wished the 
Priest to come and talk to him, and pray with him, or else 
they should lose him. This the Priest utterly declined to do, 
telling him it would do no o-ood to talk to him, for he would 
not be talked out of it ; the best way would be to laugh and 
jeer him out of it. If that did not do, take him to frolics and 
make him dance ; if he did not get rid of it then, give him 
drams until he was merry, and that would wear it off. This 
counsel so displeased Jonathan, that he went home, out of pa- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 11 

tience with his Priest, and concluded he would go to meeting 
with Joseph, and see what he could find among the Quakers. 
When he went, Lydia Norton was at the meeting ; she so 
thoroughly unravelled all the Presbyterian creeds, that he be- 
came decidedly convinced. This increased the agony in the 
family. Then Benjamin, their youngest brother, a man of great 
wit and readiness of speech, with much anxiety, exerted all his 
abilities for their preservation ; but finding himself unequal to 
the task, and not being able to get his Priest to his assistance, 
gave it up with sorrow, for awhile ; but observing the steady 
conduct of his brothers, concluded he would go and see what it 
was they got among the Quakers, that made such an alteration 
in their conduct, (which he related afterwards) ; and at the 
meeting he attended, a woman Friend came, who was so enabled 
to overturn Benjamin's bulwarks, that it finished the business 
with him. He told his brothers that he came there to see 
what they were after, and he had found out, and did not blame 
them, and nevermore followed the Priest, but became a Friend. 
This, to their religious parents, was such a heavy stroke that 
their mourning seemed to be without consolation, believing that 
unavoidable destruction was the certain doom of all their sons — 
so that for a while it seemed as if it would take their natural 
lives ; but after a while they seemed to comfort themselves, 
having done their duty, and God would be glorified in them 
that were lost, as well as in them that were saved ; so gave it 
up, endeavoring to keep their three daughters as much from 
exposure as they could, and from talking with their brothers on 
religious subjects. But they being young people together, it 
was out of their power. At length there came a Friend from 
England, and Mary, their favorite daughter, went to the meet- 
ing, and the testimony of the Friend so thoroughly convinced 
her, that in a short time she became a member, and soon came 
forward in the ministry, and in a few years became an able 
minister. 

Shortly after, one of the younger sisters was convinced and 
became a member; the other gradually broke off from the 



12 JOURNAL OF 

Presbyterians, and though she never became a member, the 
greater, and all the latter part of her days she attended Friends' 
meetings. Their parents continued a number of years in their 
way ; at length the priest got to pitying them ; stating, what a 
hard fortune it was to lose all their children, body and soul, 
after raising so likely a family, to which the aged father replied, 
" I do not know about my children being lost ; I brought them 
up as well as I knew how, and I thought they behaved well, 
while they kept to their education. I have observed them a 
number of years, since they have turned Quakers, and I think 
their conduct is much more like the pattern of mankind, than 
it ever was before." To which the priest exclaimed, " I see 
you are gone ; " got up, left him, and never visited him after- 
wards. After this, the father became a member, and died in 
the principles of Friends. 

This so affected his wife, that she seemed afflicted to his dy- 
ing day. She often said she could not give up, as he had been 
so upright a man, but that he .would come out of that Quaker 
spirit, and die a good man at last. 

A short time before his death, he told her, that in a few 
weeks he should die and go to rest ; that he had obtained an 
assurance of happiness; to which she exclaimed; "oh! my 
dear husband, will you die in that delusion, and go to destruc- 
tion ; " and wept very bitterly. 

A little before he died, he told his wife he was not deceived, 
and she would have a sign ; that when he died the cords of one 
of his thighs should be shrunk, as Jacob's was, and that should 
be a proof to her that he was not deceived. This but increased 
her agony, for she viewed him still plunging into the dark cloud 
of delusion, so that when he died, her mourning was without 
bounds, thinking he was gone into misery. 

When they came to lay him out, the cords of one his thighs 
was so drawn that the leg stood as though he sat in a chair. 
Several men tried to straighten it, but could not. After the 
man had taken the measure of the corpse, he bethought him- 
self that it might be had not got the bend of the limb exact, he 



JOSEPH HOAG. 13 

would go back and be certain ; when he came back he put his 
hand under the heel and found it gave way, he straightened the 
limb without any difficulty. 

When the widow saw this I was told she sat down suddenly 
and sat in a profound silence for some length of time, and then 
exclaimed, " all my trouble is gone ; my husband is gone 
happy ; " after which she gave the relation of these testimonies 
— as given by her husband while living — in the presence of her 
children and neighbors, but added, " I could not believe until 
my own eyes see, and now I am satisfied ; " She went with the 
Presbyterians no more, but attended Friends' meetings to the 
end of her days. Her husband was upwards of eighty years of 
age when he died. Their son Jonathan left six sons and several 
daughters ; the sons, except one, all moved to the Oblong, in 
New York State. 

My grand-father on my father's side, was Jonathan — the son 
of Jonathan — who was one of those who removed to the Ob- 
long, was, I think, about 84 years of age when he died. 

I shall now turn my attention to my own life, and subjects 
connected with it. 

Very early in life I was favored with Divine visitations and 
well remember when the few friends that lived over the Creek 
were allowed to hold a meeting ; this being the first I have any 
remembrance of attending. I often felt my mind tendered in 
these little meetings, and my understanding enlightened, and I 
often covenanted that I would live a good life, and be a good 
man ; but being of a fretful disposition, I often fell short, and 
brought sorrow and keen conviction on my mind ; and I often 
went into the woods alone and wept bitterly, and promised my- 
self to do better. So I passed along several years, sometimes 
doing pretty well and sometimes bemoaning myself in solitary 
places. 

But to return to the early day of this little meeting — which 
consisted of five men and four women, who were heads of fam- 
ilies, where I was steadily taken, and soon loved to go — I had 
not passed my tenth year, when I was led into the following 



14 JOURNAL OF 

night-vision. I fancied in my sleep that I went to meeting 
with my little brothers on 4th day, it being onr meeting day ; 
and I beheld that my father and the few friends of that meet- 
ing, came in and sat down together as usual. Shortly I saw 
three or four coming from the southeast, riding very fast ; their 
garb and appearance were like Friends, and I thought they were 
Friends. They came into the house with a quick motion, and 
fierce look, and seated themselves with my father. Shortly I 
saw my father rise, and deliver a short testimony ; soon one of 
this company rose up and condemned father's testimony, and 
him as a false preacher, adding, that there was a false ministry 
coming forth among them, and if they were not well guarded, 
it would do much hurt ; at the same time pointing at my fath- 
er, and with harsh censure sat down. One of his company 
arose and united with the last testimony. The meeting then 
soon closed, and all went out together. My father and his 
company turned to the right, with a moderate, steady pace ; 
the others turned to the left, with a quick hasty movement. 

I thought I went the next meeting day, as usual, and saw 
father and his little company sit down together. Shortly I be- 
held the other company come, in their former appearance and 
motion ; but said they would not sit with Elijah ; he should sit 
on the bench, and they would sit in the gallery. They fixed a 
seat over his head and placed themselves there. Soon after the 
meeting was quiet, my father delivered a short testimony, then 
one of this company arose, spoke hasty and quick ; a second 
followed, and looking down on my father, called him a de- 
ceiver, a false teacher, a cunning deviser of fables, working in 
the craft of the serpent, and warned those who sat with him to 
make their escape before it was too late. The third arose and 
united with him. I noticed father sat very still, looked solid, 
but never replied. The meeting closed ; they parted much as 
before, father looked very sober. 

My prospect continued on to the third meeting, where I saw 
father and his little band take their seats as usual ; the others 
came in with their former appearance and motion, but at 



JOSEPH HOAG. 15 

a later period, being more in number ; and went to their 
gallery, as they called it. In my view, father appeared in 
this meeting, and was soon followed by one of that company ; 
a second, and a third. Before they had done I discovered they 
had gained the attention of two of father's little company ; an 
own brother and brother-in-law. They repeated their former 
censures and warning, and said the Lord sent them to warn 
this people. This time they broke their meeting first, went out, 
and turned to the left hand ; father broke his meeting as he 
went out and turned to the right hand; these two uncles 
turned from him and followed the other company. He looked 
solid and sorrowful, but never replied nor showed resentment, 
through all these appearances. 

As I came out of the meeting house, I looked up and saw a 
beautiful oval cloud, and a very comely man standing upon it, 
who spoke to me, saying, " Dost thou know what these things 
mean ?' I answered, " no ;" he replied, " I am sent to tell 
thee." I then mused in my mind who he should be ; he re- 
plied," " I am an angel of the Lord ; " then pointing to the 
company which my uncles followed, he said, " that company 
are schemers, and have a ranter spirit, and shall come to noth- 
ing ; but that man of dark appearance, in the honesty of his 
heart, shall be saved. Thou shalt see thy uncles come to 
nothing. " Then looking towards father, said, " Thy father is 
a true minister ; he will have abundance to undergo from these 
schemers, but if he keeps his place they never will overthrow 
him for the Lord will keep him from falling. " All this was 
showed me, before my father had appeared in public, neither 
had I seen any of these men before I had this view, except my 
uncles, but have seen all of them since. 

Not long after this father appeared in public, and a few 
months after this I saw all three of the men come in that ap- 
peared to me before, where I heard the communications, and 
saw the conduct, I think exact as it had appeared to me, Af- 
ter meeting I learned their names, and who the dark appearing 
man was ; he was a very dark, swarthy countenanced man, of 



16 JOURNAL OF 

small natural abilities, and seemed to be influenced by others. 
In a few months they came to our little meeting again in a 
company as before, where I heard and saw acted out, what had 
appeared to me before, except fixing a gallery ; but about a year 
after, I think it was, I was at the old Nine Partners, at monthly 
meeting, I believe, for the first time. Here was the first I ever 
saw a gallery, and here, by this band, my father was ordered 
off the front seat, and bid to sit down amongst the people. 
He had before this been taken by his friends at home, on the 
front seat, in his own meeting, and had been invited on to that 
seat, by an old minister belonging to the same monthly meet- 
ing. They not only ordered father down, but I heard the cen- 
sorious communications delivered at large, and I noticed that 
father sat very still, through all these different times, looked 
very solid, but never replied a word ; so that I saw in the course 
of two years all acted out by these three men that appeared in 
my night vision. 

My uncles, about this time, appeared very thoughtful and 
religiously inclined ; but after this last meeting, they turned 
against my father, and would censure him to his face, and say 
that these were all true recommended ministers, and other 
Friends believed so ; and so it w r as that they manifested a bitter, 
censorious spirit against him through life. 

They were all young recommended ministers, when they be- 
gan opposition to my father. One of them being a subtle, 
smooth-tongued man, used all the influence he was capable of 
to bea? him down, and so far succeeded, during fifteen years, 
as to get the greater part of the elders, and sbme of the minis- 
ters belonging to our quarterly meeting in the same spirit of 
opposition with themselves. Yet some aged ministers, and a 
few elders countenanced my father, and plead for him. 

My uncle by marriage, in a few years appeared to lose all his 
religion ; took to drink, ran through his estate, and was disown- 
ed from society. His family, all went out of society except my 
aunt. My own uncle departed from all religious appearance 
and became a hard drinker, involving his estate, leaving his 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 17 

family nearly destitute. Two of his children became hard 
drinkers ; several went out of the society, and have not returned 
to this day, which is upwards of twenty years ; only one of the 
family is a religious character. So they seemed to be scattered 
in Israel, and divided in Jacob. 

Now, to return to those pursuers of my father : two of them 
carried a high hand for several years, till they got mostly the 
rule of the monthly meeting, and during this time the meeting 
disowned a great many youth for trifling misses ; and older 
friends, who did not tune after their pipes, if they could get a 
hitch upon them. At length these two leaders fell out between 
themselves, about interest matters, and carried the quarrel so 
high as to charge each other with lies, so that the monthly 
meeting had to disown them both. They ran through their 
estates, and became insolvent ; the leading one never returned 
to society ; the other, after many years came back, but never 
has been of much use or account. The dark appearing man 
being of small abilities, and naturally of a quiet make, content- 
ed himself with his own gift, for the most part, so that he kept 
his credit good in society and amongst his neighbors, and died 
in unity with his Friends. The family of the leading one pret- 
ty much ran out ; one daughter became a nice Friend, and rec- 
ommended minister ; so that we see that those who consider 
their ways, and turn to the Lord; do not have to answer for the 
sins of their fathers. 

This rent, made a great break in the strength of that class ; 
and about this time, I think it was, some others, who were lead- 
ing members, were detected in scandalous deeds, and were dis- 
owned. So it continued along, and in a few years, I think there 
was not less than fifteen leading members of this class disown- 
ed from society. This made a great change in the times. 

And now, dear children, in my silent musings, in looking 
over the just dealings of the Almighty, and remembering my 
night-vision, and having lived to see it come to pass, and to see 
the end of many of these fiery builders and ruin of their great 
castle, and that, after all this, I have lived to see your grand- 



lb JOURNAL OF 

father in his old age a recommended minister, who traveled in 
the ministry, with the unity of his brethren, in different and 
distant parts of this country, greatly to the satisfaction of his 
friends, and the peace of his own mind, I believe it my duty to 
leave the account of these occurrences for you to look at, and 
think upon, when I am laid in the silent grave, where you may 
see how the Shepherd of Israel preserveth, and carrieth through 
all tribulation, those who trust in Him ; and that He never fails 
to plead the cause of the innocent, and give them the new song 
on the banks of deliverance. While on the other hand, you 
may as clearly see how the Lord destroyeth Babel, with all her 
builders, and that nothing will stand or endure but what His 
own spirit createth and directeth, in all our religious move- 
ments. 

I now return to my getting along, from nine to twelve years 
of age. I had many clear openings. I remember that in the 
course of this time, I went one dav to the meeting earlv, and 
got to the house before any others came. I felt an inclination 
to sit on the front seat, and I did so ; sat there awhile ; there it 
was made known to me as clear as ever it was afterwards, that 
in that part of the house I should have to sit in time to come, 
and should have to preach, and I must conduct well, for if I 
did not I should not be fit to preach ; and that I must mind 
and do right, My mind was made sensible of the solemnity of 
the subject, which continued with me through the meeting, and 
it was revived on my mind at times for years. 

Being early visited with good, I was often observed to be in 
a muse, and was often asked what I was studying about, but 
being of a bashful make, was not willing mv thoughts should 
be known to any mortal, and to escape being noticed, I often 
went into the woods and other secret places to prevent expos- 
ure. On account of my quickness of temper when crossed, and 
aptness of disposition to be caught and diverted with merri- 
ment, I took this way in order to cry to my Maker, without 
any person knowing it ; but I invited a cousin about my age, to 
go along with me, telling him my thoughts and feelings. He 



JOSEPH HOAG. 19 

went with me a little while ; at length he told me he could not 
bear to be laughed at and despised by his brother and play- 
mates, as he was, for being sober and going with me, and he 
must leave me. I reasoned with him, and endeavored to per- 
suade and encourage him to keep along steady. He acknowl- 
edged he was well satisfied with my company, and that he nev- 
er felt better than when he was sitting alone with me, in silence ; 
he believed it was right, but could not bear what he met with, 
and must leave me*, which he did, to sorrow alone. He took 
his career in merriment, and afterwards told me at times, that 
by and by he would be good ; but sorrowful to relate, he has 
never become a religious man to this day, though now over 
fifty years of age. But I have heard of his telling of the good 
meetings he and I had in the woods ; that he believed, if he had 
kept with me, he would have been a good man. His departure, 
with other circumstances, appearing to combine to depress my 
mind, led me into great discouragements, being of a weakly 
make, and having had a number of gatherings in my head, 
which affected my hearing, and oft-times being in a muse when 
spoken to, did not always understand, and of course did not at- 
tend, which was often followed with a rebuke. This, with the 
censure of being careless, (although I had no disposition to be 
disobedient,) almost broke my heart at times. At other times 
it would aggravate and discompose me, and I think these dis- 
couraging circumstances continued for two years. Yet, all 
along, my mind was impressed with a sense that it was my du- 
ty to be obedient, for the Lord required it of me. TTnder these 
impressions, my intentions were to try to do right, and many 
times, when I had got out of the right way, and was favored to 
see it, I went alone and bemoaned my condition, and begged 
for the pardoning mercies of my Redeemer, and found Him a 
tender Father, who pitied my weaknesses and compassionated 
my griefs. 

In the vear 1777, beino- fifteen vears old, I thought I would 
learn to swim, and often being in the water, I perceived that 
when the water got into my ears and ran out, it brought a wax- 



20 JOURNAL OF 

like matter, which cooled the heat in my ears, and gave ease. 
This induced me to practice, so I commenced going to a clear, 
cold spring, nearly every day, and filling my ears with the wa- 
ter. It continued to bring away that gluey matter until I be- 
gan to hear with one ear pretty well. This seemed to put new 
life in me, for this enabled me to hear, and answer quick, and 
pay attention. I continued the practice, and after a while, 
there was a sharp snap in my head that seemed to make it jar, 
and soon after it, there came out of the other ear, a twist in the 
form of a screw, that looked like glue, which I judge was the 
eighth of an inch long. This coming away gave vent to thin- 
ner matter, which so cleared my head, that it relieved me of a 
roaring, which had been almost perpetual, and enabled me to 
distinguish sounds, an enjoyment that I never had before. 
This enlivened my spirits, and I soon manifested activity, and 
abilities that were* not discovered before, which drew the atten- 
tion of those about me, and served to enliven my ambition to 
embrace every opportunity to gain esteem. 

This summer, about the beginning of rye harvest, in the time 
of the revolutionary war, a band of rangers, so-called, came, and 
commanded my father to go with them, under arms, to look up 
some drafted men, who had absconded. Father refused ; their 
captain demanded the reason ; he replied, it is against my con- 
science to go with men under arms to distress my peaceable 

neighbors ; the captain replied, " your conscience, you shall 

go," drew his sword, and presented to father's breast bidding 
him walk on, or he would run him through immediately. Fa- 
ther being unwell, was lying on the bed ; he looked the captain 
calmly in the face, and replied, "I shall not go with thee one 
step as a pilot ;" the captain stepped forward with these expres- 
sions : " you, then I will run you through immediately ;" 

father replied, "that thou mayest do, for I shall not put my life 
against my conscience ; but I would have thee consider, that thou 
hast but one life to live, and must die as well as myself ; to shed in- 
nocent blood is a heavy thing ;. thou may bring a load on thy- 
self, that thou may be sorry to carry through life, and will be 



JOSEPH HO AG. 21 

a heavy thing to answer for, before the judge of all men, to 
whom thou must give an account." The captain turned pale, 
his hand fell with a tremor ; he turned to his men, and bid them 
take him ; they were not hasty to obey ; he raised his sword 
with a harsh expression, bidding them take him by the shoul- 
ders ; they did so, dragged him out of that room, and across 
another, down a flight of stairs, and through the kitchen, into 
the door-yard, very quick. The captain then said, "I make a' 
prisoner of you for your stubbornness ;" father replied, <: as a 
prisoner I will go where I am ordered, but as a pilot I will not 
go one step." They put him under guard that night ; the next 
day he was sent to jail, but the jailor not being there to take 
the delivery of him, he returned home for a week, was then ta- 
ken back and put into a miry, stinking room, adjoining a 
slaughter yard, and no place to get air, except the window 
fronting the slaughter yard, and a little hole where they passed 
in victuals. Here they were kept a number of days, and were 
not even allowed straw to lie upon. My father being taken 
with the camp-fever, and in danger of dying, they became 
alarmed, and removed him, (and another man confined with 
him,) into a clean room, where they could have fresh air, allow- 
ing his friends to come and bring him necessaries. 

In about two weeks he recovered, and was then removed to 
Esopas, (since caUed Kingston,) and put on board the fleet-pris- 
on, where he was kept till after the fall sowing. When father 
was taken away we had just begun to cut our rye, of which we 
had five acres ; eleven bushels sowing of wheat, three acres of 
flax, and three of oats. 

Owing to the extreme difficulty of procuring help at this 
time, we were under the necessity of accepting the kindly offer- 
ed assistance of a young woman who lived in the family, and 
who proposed that if we three eldest boys would take our sick- 
les and reap, she would bind after us, and help set up. I went 
forward with all the resolution my constitution would bear, and 
we succeeded, with the help of a man for a few days, in secur- 
ing our grain crops in good season. 



22 JOURNAL OF 

I was prompted with tlie idea, that it should be seen the 
crops should not be lost, if it were possible to save them ; vet- 
all this fell short of consoling my mind, so that, many horns 
when at work, the tears would run down my face plentifully, 
and weeping frequently occupied the watches of the night. I 
often exclaimed, "O, Lord, what shall we do \ Have mercv on 
us ;" and so he did, for my mind was often favored to feel that 
peace, and that foretaste of joy, which I have not language to 
express ; more particularly so in meetings. 

Our father advised us to keep to meetings, and not to neglect 
those of the middle of the week. TVe kept strictly to his charge, 
and I believe to this day it was a blessing to us ; and I feel 
myself bound, in humble gratitude thankfully to adore the good- 
ness and tender mercies of the Shepherd of Israel, who gra- 
ciously sustained in the needful time. 

When we went at our hay, I found that I was so worn, I 
could mow but to little purpose ; my strength so gone, and my 
brother less able than I was, that under this depression, I wept 
aloud as I mowed, and my father's youngest brother passing at 
the time, stopped, and looked upon us with astonishment ; (he 
was a fore-handed man, and had plenty of help) ; at length he 
said, " Joseph, what is the matter with thee, that thee cry so ?" 
Finding that my feelings were discovered, surprised me ; at 
length I told him that we had almost worked ourselves to death 
already, and had not strength to mow ; must lose all our grass, 
and have no fodder for our stock in the winter, for we could 
hire no help. My uncle, with a smile, bid me not be discour- 
aged, or work too hard, and he would see if he could get some 
help, and signified that our fodder would not be lost. He went 
home and told his men it would not do ; Elijah's boys would 
kill themselves trying to save their hay : seeing how the little 
iellows worked in the meadow alone, gave him such a feeling 
as he never had before, and they must go and help them. In 
a few days, with his assistance, we were enabled to secure nearly 
all our hay. This so put us forward, and renewed my courage, 
that with diligence, I succeeded in putting in eleven acres 



JOSEPH HOAG. 23 

of winter grain, in good season, and had commenced 
spreading the flax, when father returned home. Our suc- 
cess in business during my father's absence, raised the ad- 
miration of the neighbors. But, alas ! as ray former situa- 
tion served to depress, and cast me down, this change sorrow- 
fully produced the contrary effect, as is common for one ex- 
treme to produce another. 

Before leaving the subject of my father's imprisonment, I 
shall remark that those in authority often endeavored to pre- 
vail on him to take the oath of allegiance, or sign the associa- 
tion, stating that he should then have his liberty ; he, refusing 
to comply, informing them he had done nothing to forfeit it ; 
that he was a free-born American and should not acknowl- 
edge their right to make such demands, for he suffered 
for conscience sake, in obedience to a King who was above all 
the powers of the earth, to w T hom they must answer as well as 
he. After a while they offered him that if he would be bound 
to stay on his own farm, he might go home. He told them he 
should enter into no such engagement ; that he suffered in a 
good cause, and that if he was set on his own farm, he should 
go where he thought right. After this they informed him that 
he was to be banished to the British, at New York, and then 
he might fight for his King, to which he replied, if they sent 
him there, he should return ; -that he did not suffer for King- 
George, that he did not like his conduct better than theirs ; 
that his sufferings were for the cause of another King, to whom 
King George and they would have to give an account for their 
wretched conduct, and the shedding of human blood ; to which' 
it was replied, " then you shall lay where you are until you die, 
and the flesh, rot off your bones." But shortly after, father was 
set at liberty, with orders to go home and behave himself well. 
There were several other Friends made prisoners, for going to 
the Yearly Meeting ; which, at this time, was held on Long 
Island ; among these were two of his most absolute opposers, 
who showed their feelings, even in this time of affliction, which 
added to his sufferings. They often held meetings on the ves- 



24 JOURNAL OF 

sel on first days, but their standing so opposed to him, there 
seemed but little or no room for him to relieve his mind ; this 
caused an additional weight to his sufferings. 

I shall now proceed to relate some of the most trying part of 
my life. Having now gained the attention of my father, the 
praise of my neighbors, and the esteem of my relations, I now 
thought I should be happy. This seemed to prepare my mind 
to be taken captive at once ; but notwithstanding, the Lord 
favored me often with renewed visitations, so that I often re- 
newed my promises to do right, yet often being persuaded 
to go into company, which I had a strong taste for ; and prom- 
ised myself, I would take care and do no harm, and about as 
often returned home wounded to the heart for deviation from 
my promises. Finding myself much noticed by my comrades, 
I was loth to lose their friendship, which was an enjoyment I 
never had before. I was also unwilling to lose the favour of 
my Maker, and strove for a time to please both ; but being 
much in love with the praise of the world, it made the struggle 
hard. For while I strove in this way, to my sorrow, I found I 
displeased both. My company was not agreeable to my asso- 
ciates, nor my course acceptable to my Maker. In this way I 
got much into a bewildered state of mind, yet was favoured at 
times, to feel the renewed evidence of the testimony of the 
Eternal Truth, that the time was drawing nigh, when I should 
have to appear in the ministry, and it was sometimes in that 
clearness, which removed all doubts and scruples. 

Before I proceed farther with the above subject, I think it 
right to relate two remarkable favors which the Most High 
showed me, between the ages of nine and fifteen, which were 
on this wise. 

Feeling solitary, I laid me down in the twilight of the eve- 
ning, in a ponderous muse, and whether I went to sleep or not 
I never knew. But so it was, I was conducted with great 
quickness, an immense distance down, or from all that was 
light or cheering, until I was brought into full view of the re- 
gions inhabited by infernal spirits. There I heard the cries and 



JOSEPH HO AG. 25 

doleful lamentations of the miserable, exclaiming against con- 
duct that brought them there. And I saw that every tongue 
had to confess to the truth, and to acknowledge that it was their 
own evil conduct which brought them there. Their agonies, 
and cries, were beyond description, and their habitation a sea 
to which I could see neither bottom nor shore, and all appeared 
far below where I stood. And although it did not appear to 
be elementary fire, yet there appeared a dark cloud of smoke 
perpetually rising, that spread over the earth. I turned to look, 
and beheld, as it spread over the earth, that darkness increased, 
and where the thick columns were, it almost eclipsed the light 
of the sun ; then looking I beheld that there was a few who 
seemed pleased with the light of the sun, and took pains to 
keep in it. The countenances of these appeared bright and ac- 
tive ; but the greater part of the people appeared disposed to 
choose the darkened air to breathe in, and where they got un- 
der the thick columns of smoke, which were so dark, as almost 
to take off the light of the sun, and quite its warming beams. 
These I saw in motion, (and they perceived it not), hastening 
down a gradual descent ; they soon moved more rapidly. As 
they verged towards the burning sea, the columns of smoke 
became so thick that little was to be seen ; yet they appeared 
merry, and would make one another so. They seemed to have 
neither fear nor concern, till they dropped into the burning sea, 
when their surprise appeared indescribable, and their anguish, 
no pen can paint. As I beheld, I noticed in the burning sea 
and in the dark smoke, there appeared great motion, as though 
the sea boiled. The sight seemed amazing, but more, 
when I beheld the old dragon in his terrific hue, whose appear- 
ance, and all the motions of his tail, seemed wonderfully to 
promote horror and agony through- the dark regions, at 
which sight, it seemed as if I had no strength left. Then I 
heard a voice from on high, saying to my guide, " see thou 
and take him back ; " he touched me, and conducted me back. 
When I came to myself, my face and body were much covered 



26 JOURNAL OF' 

with large drops of sweat, much resembling spring-water for 
coldness. I soon raised up and saw that daylight appeared. 

After this, I had no relief of mind until I told two, whom I 
saw on the brink of eternal ruin. It took hold of the woman ; 
she melted down in tears ; she was one the libertine sort. I 
have never seen her since. About twenty years after, I fell in 
w T ith her husband who told me from that time and after she 
lived a religious, sober life. The man seemed to struggle un- 
der it, so I left him. About fifteen years afterwards, I fell in 
with him at a Friend's house. The man of his own accord, re- 
lated my visit in the presence of several Friends, and confessed 
that he could never get the weight of it off his mind, until he 
gave up, to be what he ought to be. The above, made some 
weighty impressions on my mind, for a while, and caused me 
to refrain from some wrong habits I had been in, yet often was 
made sensible of falling short of being what I ought to be — the 
sense thereof, frequently filled my mind with sorrow. 

In this situation, I one day towards evening laid down, and 
whether I dropped into a sleep or not, I cannot tell, but thought 
I was standing on a beautiful eminence, where I had a view of 
the heavenly host. There I saw the King of Kings on His 
throne, and the Redeemer at the right hand of Power, and the 
angels standing around the throDe. My sins were shown me as 
plain as a printed book. I stood trembling, looking for my 
final sentence ; and heard one of the angels say, " shall I slay 
him ? " The great King said, " no, we will warn him. " The 
angel said, " shall I warn him ? " The Savior of man replied, 
" I will warn him ? " and arose from his throne and looked 
down upon me, and cried, " depart, depart, from sin ; thy life 
is not thy own ; " and as He retired to His seat the appearance 
of a gate closed before me and shut all out of my sight. When 
I came to myself I found my body in much the same condition 
it was in when I had the night-vision before, and had lain about 
two hours. This so impressed my mind that I endeavored, for 
a while, to live as I ought to. 

When I arrived at the age of about fifteen and a half years, 



JOSEPH HOAG, 2*7 

I thought it my duty to speak to a difficult subject, then before 
the Monthly Meeting ; but from a fear of opposition, I forbore. 
This brought great distress upon me for a while. In about 
three months it was laid on me to bear a public testimony in 
our meetings for worship, which I suppressed and reasoned 
away, for about six months, when it all left me, and with it all 
comfort and peace. My light became darkness, and truly great 
was that darkness. I groped about seeking rest but found 
none — bitterly bemoaning my condition in solitary places. At 
length I concluded all was lost, and there was no place of re- 
pentance for me ; that I might as well be merry and take all 
the comfort I could. In this state of mind I again joined my 
young companions, and ran into mirth at a rapid rate, carrying 
the anguish of my soul with me, wherever I went, and was of- 
ten met with by renewed convictions, which caused me to trem- 
ble. Yet, concluding there was no return for me, I might as 
well go on, so I dragged along for several months, sometimes 
down in the extreme, at other times as much in the air. 

About this time, hearing a discourse on Infidel principles, 
where it was held up that the Scriptures were uncertain records, 
and that the idea of the Divinity of Christ was a foolish one, 
and that there was no future punishment ; this pleased me ; I 
wished to have it so, and I laid hold of it willingly, endeavor- 
ing to soothe all my feelings, in hopes it was so. But it was a 
length of time before I could make myself believe this doctrine. 
Still the inexpressible anguish of my soul went along with me, 
nor could I reconcile my mind to the idea, until I concluded 
that all the openings and impressions I had felt, and what I had 
seen, were the effect of dubious stories, which my parents had 
told me. When fixed in this idea, it seemed as though all light 
left me, and I had little or no power, to govern my temper, or 
tongue. Of all states that I had ever witnessed for hardness of 
heart, and of being void of any comfortable feeling, this exceed- 
ed them. My distress for a while was indescribable ; yet I went 
on to vindicate the doctrine, until I believed it. Gross dark- 
ness, indeed ! where neither sun, moon, nor starlight, are seen. 



28 JOURNAL OF 

In this state I took my career in merriment and mirth — and iu 
this way soothed my feelings as well as I could, concluding all 
was well ; and, though my mind was considerably lulled into a 
state of imagined security, yet anguish kept along with me, and 
oftentimes my days were wearisome, and my nights tedi- 
ous. Yet, through all this bewildered state I was favored with 
a view of honor which kept me from gross evils, or from injur- 
ing my fellow creatures, either in interest or character. 

When about thirteen years of age, (I think it was), I was 
sent to mill, and while the grain was grinding, the miller, who 
was an old man, and two others, (aged men), fell into discourse 
about a travelling Minister, who had been amongst them, of the 
Methodist belief. They all agreed that he was an able Minis- 
ter, and had preached several good sermons in that part of the 
country. They believed the Lord sent him to preach, but that 
in their neighborhood he said but little, and informed the peo- 
ple that he could not preach any more, and dismissed them, 
which disappointed them very much. They thought it was not 
right, and that he ought to be talked to. They agreed among 
themselves which of the three should talk to him. 

As I sat listening, in a deep muse, a solemn feeling came 
over my mind, and I felt a forcible motion to go and speak to 
them, and I believe the Lord required it of me. I hesitated 
a little, but fearing to delay, I walked up to them, and I think 
nearly in these words, addressed them : " You are old men, and 
I have been hearing you talk about the Minister, who you be- 
lieve the Lord sent amongst you." They answered, " they did 
believe so." I replied, " then I have something on my mind 
to say to you," and proceeded, " If the Lord sent him, He 
knew best where He wanted him to preach ; and it was certain 
that the Lord knew the states of all the people, and knew what 
to give him to preach that would be suitable for the people, 
and how much ; and if he preached any more it would only be 
man-preaching, and might not be suitable to the state of any 
one in the meeting. They ought to be careful how they med- 
dle with the man, seeing it was his duty to mind the Lord who 



JOSEPH HOAC4. 2U 

sent him out ; and if by their talking to him, he should preach 
more than the Lord gave him to preach, then he would turn 
from pleasing the Lord, to please man, and this might offend 
the Lord ; that He might take his gift in the Ministry from him, 
and what on evil that would be to the man, and an injury to 
the cause of God. But if they saw anything in the Minister's 
conduct that was not right, then it was their duty to talk 
to him and show him his error, and in that way they might be 
a help to keep him right. I thought they had better leave 
him to the Lord, who they believed had sent him out, than to 
meddle with him in any other way." I then stopped and 
turned from them, feeling my mind relieved and rilled with 
peace. Not long after this, two of those men came to my fath- 
er's ; one of them related to him the occurrence with this re- 
mark — that in all his life, he never met with such a stroke ; to 
think that such a child of my age and looks should be able to 
teach him, and it was the truth which he had not seen 
into before ; and he had not dared to say to the Minister what 
he intended. I may remark that I went up to these men with 
no other view than to say to them what came into my mind, 
and I found no want of words or matter ; thus witnessing, that 
though a child, when I was obedient to the Lord, he was 
strength in a weak child — wisdom and utterance in the needful 
time — blessed be His holy name. 

Another occurrence took place (I think), when I was be- 
tween seventeen and eighteen years of age. I went to see an 
aunt of mine, whose eldest child, (a daughter), had wanted to 
go for some time to see a great uncle of ours. My aunt con- 
cluded if I would wait on her, and see her safe home, she might 
go. Accordingly, the next day we set out. It was a time of 
life wmen at times I indulged myself in such conversation as 
promoted merriment in company. In this way I entertained 
my cousin most of the way going ; but on our return we had 
not travelled far, before we were overtaken by a man, who soon 
fell upon me, censuring the Quakers in strong terms because they 
would not fight. It was during the revolutionary war, and 



30 JOURNAL OF 

critical times in that part of the country. I heard him pretty 
much through, by which time I felt my mind closely arrested 
with an uneasy feeling, that the principles of Truth, and the peo- 
ple that I believed were faithful to them should be so censured, 
though. I felt conscious that I was not one of the faithful, which 
at that time I forcibly felt. Yet, notwithstanding my embar- 
rassed state of mind, the Lord, I believed, for the sake of His 
own name, and the tender regard he had for his faithful 
ones, so touched my mind, (though I was hardly sensi- 
ble what it was), that I felt as if I could not hold my tongue 
any longer, let the consequence be what it would. As I com- 
menced, all fear was taken away, words flowed readily, and I 
was enabled to show the difference between the law and the 
Gospel ; to open to him our principles, give him our reasons 
for them, and prove them by many scripture texts, and finally 
to show him that it was impossible for a true Quaker to be 
either Whig, or Tory, for that implied opposite parties, and 
both believed in war, and Friends did not. By this time, the 
man became so tender, that with tears running down his 
cheeks, he acknowledged our reasons were good, and that our 
principles were right, and wished Friends would keep to them ; 
if they did, they would be a blessing to the world. This re- 
mark came home to my feelings. He added, that he was fifty- 
five years of age, and never saw these things before ; that it was 
marvellous to him, and he believed there must be great wisdom 
amongst the Quakers, for so young a man to know so much. 
He urged me to go home with him ; I informed him I could 
not. When we parted with him he gave me his hand, wished 
me well, desired me to remember him and pray for him. 
This thought went through me like a sword, " how can I pray 
for thee, when I neglect to pray for myself?" 

As I turned from this man I discovered a man who had been 
riding behind us several miles, unperceived by me. He sud- 
denly rode alongside, and exclaimed, " I am glad to hear you 
bang off that old Whig so, for he is an old rebel, an enemy to 
his King, and it is good enough for him." I turned, and 



JOSEPH IIO AG. 31 

looked him full in the face, It came forcibly into my mind, 
"Thou art a tavern hunter, and one of the vilest men." I soon 
replied, " I believe thou art mistaken in me, for I can no more 
be a Tory than a Whig." He said, " why ? " I replied, that, 
" before the war, our country got much filled up with a 
sort of men that hung about the taverns, and practised card 
playing, cock-fighting, horse-racing, and getting drunk; and 
then would go home and abuse their families ; they were 
equally met and agreed in the service of the devil, and of course 
were his children. The Lord had suffered an evil spirit to di- 
vide them, for they corrupted the land ; and now, one part had 
taken side for the King, and the other for the country ; both 
parties were still in the same practices, standing on the beasts' 
head before the war, they stand on the beasts* head now, 
only they have become divided into two horns, that push 
one another. And I believed that in this way the Lord 
was purging our land, and the two horns would have to 
go down into hell, with the beast : for these reasons I could 
not be a Toiy nor Whig." He rode off whistling, and left us. 
My cousin then came up, and with a serious look, said to me 
in substance, " Joseph, almost all the way going to uncle's, thou 
kept me laughing with thy nonsense, and now thou cans't talk 
like an angel, set the first man crying, and the last one, thou 
hast pictured out as correctly *as I could, who have lived by 
him all my days ; he is a neighbor to father, and is called a 
fighter, card-player, horse-racer, and is a great drunkard, and 
follows other wicked practices. Thou hast been talking to 
him like a Minister ; what can I think of thee ? " These sim- 
ple remarks, went through me like the arrow that was thrown 
at a venture ; it cut me so close that I had to sink down, reas- 
oning with myself, sure enough, what am I \ and as I sank 
down in my mind, I felt the weight of my folly. After a 
while it was opened to me in the Light, and with such clear- 
ness, that I had no power to disbelieve, that the Lord put a 
w r ord in Balaam's mouth to deliver to the Midianites and Moa- 
bites, though his heart was not right before the Lord ; not- 



32 JOURNAL OF 

withstanding he was highly favored, vet he did not give up to 
cleave unto the Lord with all his heart, and keep to the word 
he had spoken to the people ; therefore the Lord cut hirn off. 
And now the Lord had put a word in my mouth for those 
men for the upholding of the Truth in the earth and the. hon- 
our of his own name ; though my heart was not right before 
Him ; and if I did not cleave to the Lord with my whole 
heart, and keep to the word spoken, the time was coming 
when I should be cut off as Balaam was. 

The force of this solemn subject turned my jovialness into 
seriousness, and my merriment into heaviness of heart ; yet 
while I mourned over my own folly, I marvelled at the wisdom, 
goodness, and tender mercy of the Almighty towards me, in 
awakening me, and instructing me in such a wonderful man- 
ner, xldored and praised for ever, be His holy name ! 

In this way, I struggled along, till near eighteen years of age, 
when it pleased the Lord to send his faithful servant, Abel 
Thomas, into our parts, who, in a large meeting, addressed a 
single state, and was enabled to speak to my condition so clear- 
ly that I could not deny a word, commencing with the first of 
my religious life, to the condition I was then in, more correctly 
than I could have done, and clearly informed me what I had 
departed from, showing, that that was the cause of the distress 
I had undergone. Then he took hold of my infidel principles, 
fixed his eyes in my face, and to me, in a wonderful manner, 
unfolded my reasonings, laid waste all my arguments, then 
warned me in a solemn manner, to return to the Truth from 
which I had departed, and closed his testimony with these 
words : "That Jesus, whom thou hast denied, has revealed to me 
thy state and condition." 

Finding, after meeting, that he had traveled a number of 
miles to reach it, and had lodged far from the meeting place ; 
he had no chance to get any outward knowledge of any state 
amongst us — this increased the weight of his testimony on my 
mind, and so convinced me, that it overthrew all my castle, and 
I durst not trust in it anv longer. 



JOSEPH HOAG. 33 

I went into the woods, and wept until I could weep no lon- 
ger. Now, the potent enemy of all happiness, poured in upon 
my mind, a mighty flood of reasoning, thus — that this Friend 
was not sent for my salvation, but only to stop me from holding 
up blasphemous principles, so that I should not deceive others ; 
it was for their sakes and not mine, that he was sent, and that 
I had blasphemed the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; for the 
spirit I had felt striving in me, reproving for sin, was the Holy 
Ghost, and there was no mercy for me ; for the justice and ho- 
liness of God, w T ould never be reconciled to such a monster as 
I was. 

These thoughts sunk me below all hope. I became so dis- 
ordered, that I was w r atched day and night, and was tempted 
to hang myself. Sleep went from me, my stomach refused 
food, I pined aw^ay like one in a decline, for my distress and 
horror were beyond the scope of language to set forth. I fan- 
cied I saw the regions of endless torment ready to receive me, 
so that many times I started, fearing that I heard the devil 
coming to carry me aw r ay bodily. In this situation I remained 
a number of weeks. 

Now, dear children, stop and reflect ; behold w 7 hat I passed 
through for departing from the truth, and letting in unbelief. 
Let it be a warning to you. My cravings are that another may 
never experience the like distress. The above named Friends, 
Abel and James Thomas, passing to the southward went through 
our Yearly Meeting expecting to go home from Long Island. 
Instead of finding themselves at liberty to return, they felt their 
minds forcibly arrested to come back more than a hundred 
miles, to attend our Quarterly Meeting to be held at Oblong, 
where father had taken me, fearing to leave me at home. 
When they came into the meeting I was exceedingly shocked, 
concluding they had now come to denounce my final doom. 

After sitting aw^hile, Abel arose and brought into view the 
state he had been led to feel for when in our land before, and 
in a feeling manner, declared that he perceived the enemy had 
taken advantage of the poor penitent, and had made him be- 



34 JOURNAL OF 

lieve the Lord had no mercy for him, and that his damnation 
was sealed. He continued, the enemy is a liar and was so from 
the beginning ; for whom God cast off he no longer strove with ; 
thererefore, while the strivings of His Spirit are felt to caution 
against evil, it is an evidence that the day of mercy is yet con- 
tinued ; that if the manifestations of the Spirit of Christ within 
are faithfully obeyed, a submission of self to the Lord's disposal, 
in life, or in death, patiently enduring the needful baptisms, 
submitting to the chastening of the rod that is lifted up, and 
acknowledging the justice of the hand that shakes it, the days 
shall come when the individual will have to go forth and tell 
what great things the Lord has done for his soul. 

When this was spoken, I said to myself, it is enough, I now 
believe. He stopped as though he had heard me speak, and 
turned to another subject, not afterwards resuming the former 
one. These two sermons occasioned much reasoning in the 
minds of Friends, it being thought there was no such state 
present ; but he being a stranger they let him pass without in- 
timating their doubts. May this remark be a caution to all to 
whom these lines may come, to let that alone which they know 
nothing about ; for the Lord had a witness, and the arrow was 
directed to the right place. 

I returned home, feeling much more composed in mind, but 
it was not long before trouble poured down upon me like a 
mighty torreLt. Finding the company of my former associates 
a grief and a snare, I relinquished it, upon which they raised 
many false reports and insinuations, which prejudiced the 
minds of many elderly and some worthy Friends, so that I had 
to bear the ridicule of the young and the censure of the older 
ones. One woman who sat upon the high seat, came forward 
and declared to my face, that she saw me do what I had never 
done or thought of doing, yet she testified to it with such as- 
surance that she was believed, and I was judged to be a liar. 
This seemed as though it would take my life. I thought for 
a while she had effected that which she had said she would ; 
which was that she would destroy my credit, and more so wdien 



JOSEPH HOAG. <J5 

I met with cool countenance and shy carriage from those to 
whom I looked for sympathy and counsel. This so unsettled 
my mind, that when I thought of her, the saintish appearance 
she made, where she sat, and how she had deceived Friends, I 
was almost induced to think the Lord would not have any- 
thing to do with such a people but to condemn them, under 
which feelings I mostly refrained from attending their meet- 
ings, except when urged by my parents, wandering about in 
solitary places to make my moan before the Lord, and fre- 
quently attending the meetings of all other societies in my vi- 
cinity, in order to find a comfortable home among some of 
them. "While in this search, I attended the Baptist worship 
several times, and my mind was much caught by water bap- 
tism ; which exercised me much, and I was thoughtful of being 
plunged ; and while waiting to fcel an impression in my mind 
thereto, I felt unusually drawn to attend Friends' meetings 
again. Soon after I took my seat, these words came into my 
mind, "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with 
fire, whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his 
floor, and gather his wheat into the garner ; but he will burn 
up the chaff wdth unquenchable fire." This continued with 
me through the meeting. When I went out, the subject left 
me, and I thought no more of it until I took my seat in the 
next meeting, when it again revived, and continued through 
this as in the former meeting, when it left me as before. 

At the next meeting, the same passage was again presented 
to my view, and I queried, what does this mean that this text 
should continue with me during three successive meetings ? It 
then opened as clear to my mind, as the bright beams of the 
sun, that the Holy Ghost was nothing more or less than the 
Holy Spirit, for ghost is spirit, and God is Spirit, and all spirit, 
and that the soul of man was the spirit which derived its being 
from the creative breath of the Almighty, and was designed, if 
obedient to the will of its Maker, to become an inhabitant of 
heaven, and enjoy His glory. That God, who was ail spirit, 
self-existing, uncreated, was the Creator of all elements ; com- 



S6 JOURNAL OF 

posed them with matter far beneath Himself, and placed them 
far below, yet it was He who sustained them. 

It appeared clear to me, that as all matter, all elements, were 
dependant on Spirit for the continuation of their being, it was 
not in the power of the lesser to comprehend or penetrate the 
greater ; and of course, the soul having derived its being from 
God, it was a created spirit, and therefore, superior to all ele- 
ments, being created for eternal being, and designed to become 
an inhabitant of heaven, which the elements never were ; there- 
fore, the produce of the earth, could feed the body, but it could 
not feed the soul : Waters could wash and purify the flesh, but 
could not reach the soul, the spirit in man, to which the Al- 
mighty giveth understanding. 

It appeared clear that John, being under a divine mission, 
and under the influence of God's Spirit, saw through this mys- 
tery, which had been hid for many ages of the world, and felt 
himself authorized to cry, " He that cometh after me shall 
baptize you with the Holy Ghost,'' etc., which is the Holy 
Spirit. Here it appears clear that the spirit which brought the 
soul into being, which the elements had no concern in doing, 
was the only power which could restore a sick soul to health, 
or a wounded one to a healed state. These views brought my 
mind into solemn thoughtrulness, and this language ran through 
it — the Holy Spirit is also the Grace of God, and the Spirit 
of God in creation acted independently of any other source, 
so the Spiiit of God acteth independent of all elements, in the 
regeneration of men. 

For any one who had been regenerated, born again, or 
formed anew in Christ, to be baptized with water, would be 
like some formerly, who began in the spirit, and turned to the 
weak and beggarly elements, thinking to perfect their 1 
ness thereby, which an apostle under the influence and direc- 
tion of the Spirit of God reproved them for. Being much re- 
lieved from the entanglements of ceremonies, I felt an increas- 
ing: concern to attend the meeting's of Friends ; and I was soon 
forcibly impressed with the necessity of appearing in public 



JOSEPH HOAG. 37 

testimony from time to time, but fearing it was a transforma- 
tion of the evil one, I felt if 1 did so appear, it would be 
rejected by Friends, and I should be censured by them, I put 
it off until my life became a burden, and was tempted to put 
an end to it. At length, I gave up, and spoke a few words, 
and found my mind much relieved and comforted. 

My public appearance so disturbed my old associates in folly, 
that an own cousin spread a falsehood about me, of such a na- 
ture as to cause my being visited by the overseers. This laid 
me under the necessity of proving the falsity of his story ; yet 
he was not dealt with, and I was barely discharged, This so 
discouraged me, that I did not dare to open my mouth in that 
way again during twelve months. 

When my cousin saw the effect it had, he boasted that he 
had stopped me from preaching, which was what he intended; 
but oh, the anguish of my soul, I have no language to describe. 
Yet I was favored with the resolution to go no more with 
such company, whatever my sufferings might be, even if it 
took my natural life ; which at times I thought it would. But 
I was favored to stand my ground, so that this storm seemed 
a little to pass over, and I began to hope, although it soon 
appeared that my cup of suffering was not yet full. 

Sometime after Abel Thomas returned from his visit to our 
parts, it was presented to my mind, that if I would curse God/ 
my father and mother, and the Bible, I should be happy as 
long as I lived ; if I would not do this I should never be happy 
in this world, and as for future happiness it was out of all 
question, for I should never obtain it, it was not for me ; and 
I had better be happy while I lived, than never to be so. 
These thoughts surprised me ; I endeavored to put them out 
of my mind, but all in vain ; they continued to roll in upon me 
with such a weight of darkness that I was so confused as to be 
very near deranged. It was then presented to me that God 
never suffered any of His to feel the torment that I did, and I 
should never feel any better unless I cursed Him ; that would 
relieve me. I strove to put these and the like thoughts out of 



38 JOURNAL OF 

my mind ; but in vain. I called to remembrance all I could 
think of to strengthen my mind against the temptation, and 
reasoned thus : if I curse God I shall surely be miserable ; it 
is id His power to make me miserable in time and eternity ; 
and no power could hinder Him from doing what He would. 
I had sinned enough and had enough to answer for without 
adding to the dreadful account ; therefore I could not do this 
dreadful evil and sin against God. And I reasoned, where can 
any comfort come but from God? It then rushed into my 
mind like a flash of lightning, and I thought with the terror of 

CO 7 3 

thunder, that if I would curse God, he would leave me, and I 
could then join with those who had familiar spirits. These, 
and the like thoughts were so perpetual that it seemed as 
though I could not obtain a moment's relief from them, and 
thought I should go into endless misery. This took away my 
appetite, and I durst not sleep more than nature compelled me 
to. I walked the house nights, and kept my feelings to myself 
as much as I could day-times ; thinking if I must go in that 
condition I would secrete it from my parents, lest it should 
add to their affliction through life. My distress was dreadful ; 
I grew weak and unable for business ; my face became 
pale and my eyes had a strange appearance ; when the neigh- 
bors saw me they would ask, what ailed me ] and remark, that 
j[ looked as though I was going to die, and that my eyes looked ' 
ghastly ; which but heightened my misery and confirmed my 
thoughts. My parents often asked, what the matter was with 
me ; but I kept all to myself. 

This temptation continued fourteen days and nights, when 
finding my strength so far gone that I thought I could not 
keep on my feet any longer, I laid down thinking it was likely 
one hour would close the scene with me ; when I should find my- 
self amongst the miserable. Soon after lying down I felt such 
a weight come upon me that I could not stir, and thought I 
heard as plain and intelligible a whisper as ever I heard from a 
human being, to this effect : " surrender, or you shall die in a 
minute, and go to the place of endless torment." I replied, 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 39 

" I cannot do that, I never will curse God, if I lose my life. I 
have enough to answer for without that terrible sin ; " for it 
struck me with horror at first, and so continued through the 
whole trial. When it appeared as though my breath was 
going from me, and I looked for every breath to be the last, 
I felt this language as the last tribute, I should ever have the 
opportunity to offer, " Our Father who art in Heaven, hallow- 
ed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, Thy will be clone on 
earth as it is in Heaven ; give us this day our daily bread, and 
forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass 
against us ; and leave us not in temptation, but deliver from 
the evil thereof; for thine is the kingdom,- the power, and the 
glory, forevermore. Amen." I gladly embraced it, and as 
it passed through my mind, the weight went off me, and the 
cloud of darkness with it. My mind was at once composed 
and seemed filled with the joys of Paradise. I found it best 
to keep still, for I saw there was danger of being carried away 
with the rapture. 

Great was my peace for several days, and I had many clear, 
heavenly openings in the vision of light, in which there is no 
deception. This strengthened my mind, for it was showed 
me that the Redeemer gave His life for me, and my love to 
Him was not proved until I had given up my life rather than 
deny Him; that the Lord's prayer was prepared for me at 
that time and His Power was with it. This was the only of- 
fering that co.uld possibly find acceptance with the Father 
from me, and all who ever entered the Kingdom must go 
through great tribulations, and have their faith and love thor- 
oughly tried, that they might come forth like gold, seven times 
tried in the furnace, weighty and pure, fit for the Kingdom ; 
and they that endured not the furnace were not accounted 
worthy to be entrusted with the mysteries of the kingdom of 
Heaven, or to enjoy the felicity of its glory. 

It was not a great while, before my father sent me to a 
neighbour's house, (who were members, and sat on the high 
seats, and mad« a grave appearance), just before sunset, to 



40 JOURNAL OF 

borrow a tool. They were going to tea ; they pressingly 
urged me to partake with them, which I consented to. After 
supping, I made a move to go home ; but the young people 
persuaded me to stay, and talk with them a little, which I 
yielded to, against my feelings, thinking I might offend if I 
did not. But ! how dangerous is our reasoning, as the fol- 
lowing will show. I had not sat long with them, before I was 
invited to an out-house about five rods distant. When I rose 
to go with them, it came to my mind to turn and go home ; 
but not heeding the motion, I went with them. As I came to 
Ifce door, this language ran through my mind — there is an 
All-seeing Eye that will bring to an account for all this — yet I 
stepped in, and this language followed — how would thy father 
feel if he knew of this, whose prayers have been for thee, when 
thine eyes have been closed in sleep. This shocked me, al- 
most to trembling, but it was too late, the door was shut and 
guarded, and I had no way to escape ; so I walked across the 
room and sat down, and did not rise until they broke up. 
They soon began, and went on with their dance, which con- 
tinued till near break of day. Here I found 1 ought to bear 
testimony against their conduct, but forbore, much to the 
wounding of the little peace I now and then enjoyed ; but 
went home, concluding to keep all this to myself; thinking, if 
I told of it-, as they were all children of Friends, except one, 
and several of their parents were ministers, and I think elders, 
and overseers, that they would deny it and throw the scandal 
of a falsehood upon me. And I was not mistaken, for the girl 
that did not belong among Friends, told of it. It soon got 
among Friends, and the overseers took it up. This made an 
alarm ; my father examined me several times, but I kept all to 
myself. But to find the truth of the business, he sent me home 
with the borrowed tool, and followed so close after, that I had 
not time to get out of the house, before he came in, and or- 
dered me to sit down. I obeyed, dreading what was coming. 
He soon opened the subject, and informed the family who his 
author was ; they all denied the fact, and called upon me to do 



JOSEPH HOAG„ 41 

so, which I could not do. The mother of the family asserted 
that she sat where she saw and heard all that was said and 
done ; and added, that there was neither singing nor dancing, 
nor any unbecoming behavior. This pierced me to the heart; 
she being a woman in years, and sat on the rising seat in the 
front of the meeting, often making the appearance of great 
tenderness. But I was more shocked when she said, "God 
knew there was no such conduct there ; " that she was not 
afraid to appeal to the Almighty before whom she expected to 
appear in judgment, and it would be a dreadful thing for her 
to say so if it were not true. When this came, my head fell, 
yet she pressed me to confirm what she had said, but I kept 
silent. When we got away father remarked, that though I 
said nothing, I had satisfied him; for when she called on God, 
my head and countenance fell, by which he perceived I had 
not lost all my feelings, and wished me to keep to them. 

After this, the overseers being in pursuit of the business, came 
on me, for the young people (as I was told by one of the com- 
pany), had all agreed to deny it, which they did, or that they 
had ever told such a thing, and that it must be me, and what 
I did it for they could not tell, for the family had never given me 
any occasion of offense that they knew of. This so filled the over- 
seers, that I was severely treated by them. They then demanded 
me to tell the truth. That I durst not do, believing if I did, 
I must be disowned as a liar ; but being pressed, I answered 
them, they would never hear me say there was no dancing at 
that place, and I did not think they would ever hear me say 
there was. This they called equivocation, and concluded to 
carry a complaint against me to the meeting. I then informed 
them I must have my right, and see my accuser face to 
face, and if they could bring any person who would say they 
had ever heard me say either good or hurt of the family, I 
would be accountable for either, and until that was done, they 
must not carry a complaint against me. This so started one 
of the overseers that he reflected on me severely ; the other 
was more moderate. They proceeded not much further in the 
3 



42 JOURNAL OF 

business, but gave it as their judgment, that I had made, and 
spread that false report about that family. This was generally 
believed through the Monthly Meeting, in-so-much that some 
of the elderly Friends who sat facing the meeting refused to 
give me their hand. 

Meanwhile these wicked young people would laugh and jeer 
me, to see it ; and had not the Lord helped me, I believe to 
this day 'that my natural life must have gone, for my flesh 
wasted away as though I had had a fit of sickness. Here I 
think right to remark that every young member who was at 
the dance, was disowned from society within five years, and 
within seven years the aged woman was disowned for bearing 
false witness, and her husband for abuse to another man. 

When all this took place, I could be believed. In these oc- 
currences, a discerning eye may easily see the goodness of Di- 
vine justice ; for though my back-sliding merited the rod, and 
the Lord permitted these objects of pity to pour out their fury 
upon me, and at the same time marvelously to preserve me 
from utter ruin, and in His own time, after humbling me 
enough, turned my captivity ; and in-as-much as my accusers 
regarded neither truth, justice nor mercy, the Lord turned on 
them the reproach of their own conduct, and they that dug the 
pit were buried therein. 

Now, dear children, let these things be as way-marks to you, 
and remember whatever is wrong cannot be right, for the Lord 
is against it ; and those who knowingly do wrong, are beaten 
with many stripes. It is very unwise to buy trouble at so dear a 
rate ; while those who do right have the Lord for their coun- 
sellor and safeguard in all the vicissitudes of time, for while 
these are faithful to their Maker's will, none can overthrow 
them. The deepest afflictions that can be endured or come on 
an innocent mind, are not to be compared with the distress of 
a wounded and guilty conscience before the Lord. 

Having passed through the above described combat, and 
finding myself in the situation, that I could not be acceptable 
company with the respectable and serious, I was determined 



JOSEPH HOAG. 43 

not to be company for the wicked, and the mean grades of 
mankind ; so I lived almost without society for more than two 
years, and I do not remember of going for a visit to more than 
three houses in that time, one of which I visited on account of 
a young woman, who afterwards became my wife ; and though 
my visits were not often, but regular, I think I kept her com- 
pany over a year before I broached the subject of my difficulty, 
thinking she must have heard of it ; so I left that for her to do 
until I thought she would not ; then I mentioned it. She read- 
ily told me she heard of it all in good time, and was press- 
ingly advised to dismiss me, but whenever she sat down still, 
and thought of it, it seemed always clear to her that the reports 
were false ; and the reason she had never mentioned it to me, 
was, that she thought I had trouble enough without it. 

My society continued to be mostly at my father's house. I 
kept steady to meetings, often walking to and from them alone ; 
so I often had opportunity for serious thought. One thing I 
may mention. My father entertained many traveling Friends 
and others, and being much at home, I was ready to wait on 
them ; my conduct was strictly watched. In the course of one 
year, several of our leading members expressed their doubts of 
the reports concerning me. I was not seen going in rude com- 
pany to or from meetings, and appeared to wait on Friends 
readily and with pleasure, and to love their company. In this 
may be seen, when good conduct is pursued, with an honest 
mind, that a blessing attends ; it pleads its own cause. Yet, 
I carried much anguish with me, night and day, asleep and 
awake. Notwithstanding all these commotions, I often felt the 
Spirit of the Lord upon me, and a necessity laid on me to come 
forward in the ministry, but reasoned that it could not be a 
right call ; for, if it was, there would be a way open for it, and 
now there was not ; so I endeavored to appease my feelings 
as well as I could, but the woe was on me wherever I went. 

At length I covenanted, that if the Lord would send a servant 
(who knew nothing of me) to come and tell me that it was a 
right call, I would give up to it, I rested upon this awhile, until 



44 JOUBNJJL OF 

I began to conclude I should get clear of preaching, and what 

a happy thing it would he. for there was nothing in the line of 
religion that I viewed with so much horror as a false ministry. 
Thus, I rested about three months, when, to my great surprise, 
David Sands came to our house, and almost as soon as he en- 
tered the door he singled me out. and not only told me that 
the call was right, but took hold of the reasonings and difficul- 
ties I had passed through for years, more correctly than I could 
myself. Then, in this moving language, said, " as sure as thou 
knowest ah this to be true, so sure thy exercise, thy concern, 
and thy call is right : and if thou wilt give up and be faithful, the 
Lord will be thy strength, and thy reward, and will surely carry 
thee through all thy straits ; the path of the righteous ever was 
a tribulated one, and thou hast many trials to pass through, 
but the Lord will be thy leader, and thy rearward : and though 
the mountains surround thee, they shah be removed ; the hills 
shah be laid low, and the deep waters shall be divided for the 
soles of thy feet ; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.' 1 
Here he closed. 

My mind was much broken, my reasonings were all swal- 
lowed up ; I had no power to disbelieve. My heart exclaimed, 
marvellous ! marvellous ! wonderful are Thy dealings, Lord ! 
with the children of men ; and Thy ways past finding out. I 
then concluded, this is enough, I will give up and be faithful; 
yet when the exercise came upon me in meetings, to appear in 
public testimony, being exceedingly fearful that I should not 
move exactly right, I sat waiting to be certain, until meet- 
ing broke, and then I was shocked in mind. In this way I 
drooped along some time, until I verily thought I could not 
speak a word if I tried, and begged the Lord from day to day 
to take my life, and let that be an acceptable sacrifice in room 
of the sendee. At length the Lord showed me, in a clearness 
I have thought, that was equal to Paul's vision, that He would 
take from me my life in Christ, and all His mercies, and they 
should never return to me any more, and that, shortly, if I did 
not give up and be faithful. He had granted the request, and 



JOSEPH HOAG. 45 

sign which I had asked, and I had not kept covenant on my 
part, and now He would wait no longer upon me, for my nat- 
ural life was not an offering that was acceptable to Him. It 
was brought to my remembrance what Samuel said to Saul ; 
and the Lord further showed me that it was not owing to His 
being a hard Master, that I had so often come short, but to my 
reasoning with flesh and blood, and that gave the enemy the 
advantage to deceive me ; and all this was the effect of not 
trusting in His word, for He gave strength for the w T eak, and 
wisdom to the simple, to all those who trusted in Him, and 
called on His name. And now said the Lord by his Spirit ; 
" take thy choice decidedly, for thou shalt have no longer time 
to be waited upon ; and if thou refuse My word, I will leave 
thee to become a drunkard and a vagabond upon the earth ; 
and from My presence shalt thou go forth, and not live out 
half thy days." 

This clear manifestation so shocked the whole man, that my 
limbs not only shook, but my knees, like Belteshazzar's were 
ready to smite together. For three days and nights, my exer- 
cise was such that sleep and appetite for food departed from me. 
Now I had no confidence in myself, and I durst not so readily 
promise or covenant as I formerly had done, fearing I should 
fail as before. When I looked over the past I trembled ; 
and when I looked forward to the woe that was pronounced 
against me, it appeared dreadful. But after passing through 
these alarming sensations, my mind was favored with some- 
thing of a calm, and the language of my soul was to this effect; 
Thou knowest, Lord, all things ; Thou knowest that I am 
nothing ; I have neither strength nor confidence to do Thy 
will, for I have come short hitherto, and durst not promise ; 
but if Thou, Lord, wilt give me strength, then will I try to 
serve Thee faithfully. If Thou grant not this request, I must 
perish. Soon after this petition it seemed as intelligible to me 
as though I heard a vocal voice say, I, the Lord, have heard 
thy prayer, and grant thy request ; but keep thine eye on Me, 
and let thy confidence be in Me alone ; obey My words and it 



46 JOURNAL OF 

shall be well with thee. At this, my mind became quiet, ev- 
erything appeared pleasant about me. I now thought the worst 
was over. This may show how apt poor man is to lay hold 
of the prospect of ease. But what soon follows, will show how 
liable to be disappointed. After this, I durst not admit rea- 
soning thoughts into my mind, but endeavored to keep it as 
quiet as possible. 

TThen meeting day came, I attended. In the early part, a 
few words came into my mind with such weight as caused me 
to tremble. I soon felt the necessity to rise on my feet and 
deliver them. I attended to the motion, felt my mind relieved 
and the sweet returns of peace in greater fullness than I had for 
a long time before. Xow, my children, please to notice that 
as soon as I besought the Lord to enable me to do His will, 
strength was given to overcome the apparent insurmountable 
difficulties ; whereas, all my promises in my own strength ever 
failed me. He not only giveth strength, but richly rewardeth 
every act of obedience. But my coming forward in the min- 
istry, again raised another storm, and much pains were taken 
by my kindred to render me odious, so that the Select mem- 
bers would stop me from preaching. But they chose to be 
deliberate and take time for judgment, though my opposers 
brought over three or four Elders to their purpose, which made 
hard work, and much suffering for me during several years. 
These continued to persecute me, as long as they could. But 
my relatives failing in the first point, fell on me themselves. 
Awhile after this, a traveling Friend was at our meeting. Al- 
though this stranger was present, I felt constrained to deliver a 
sentence or two. The stranger soon arose, took the same for his 
text, and kept it along through his sermon. After meeting, he 
went to mv oTandfather's. I called in to see him, and sat down 
behind the door, not having confidence to go forward and give 
him my hand. Soon after this, one of my relatives came in 

and addressed me thus ; " well, , if you think you can 

make as good a hand at preaching as you have done at black- 
guarding. I would have you follow the business ; " and with a 



JOSEPH I1U AG, 47 

mock laugh, turned and went out. I soon followed, and after 
getting out of sight, vented my grief in bitter weeping, until I 
could weep no more. Awhile after this I saw another of these 
relatives commit an unlawful act, and advised him to refrain 
from such conduct, reasoning with him upon the consequences, 
if pursued. This not being kindly taken, he went home and 
told his father (my uncle) such a story, that when I met with 
him, he broke upon me with great rage, and ordered me to 
preach no more. 

I met with many more similar occurrences, in the course of 
five years, and mostly from my relatives, all of which are not 
necessary to mention. My motive is to give you the opportu- 
nity of serious reflection, and of beholding the difference be- 
tween the effects of good and evil conduct ; for this relative's 
fimily (which consisted of ten children) are all gone from soci- 
ety except two. Some of them became hard drinkers, and 
most of the family are now company for the lowest grades of 
people. If this is the reward in this world, how ought? people 
tc shun every appearance of evil, when that of the world to 
ccme is woeful, and without end. May these truths be lasting 
warnings to you, my children, for on the other hand, your 
grind-father's offspring (rising of seventy souls) are all members 
of society, and a number of them truly religious, useful in 
society, and respectable in the community; so that well 
doing has its reward in time, enough to induce thereto, if there 
was no hereafter. But when we think of the latter, what 
pleasure is there in this world, that is worth hazarding eternal 
felicity for. ! my dear children, seek true Wisdom, and let 
the God of your fathers be the chosen lot of your inheritance ; 
so that it may be well with you iii time, and happy with you 
in eternity. 



-V: 



CHAPTER II. 

Having- visited Hnldah Case c i-jasi-trallv. oo 
marriage ? for the space of two 7 ears 01 more, she, fto 
peri: h 1"_ a. :I 00 ::: : 000:007 e: hearioi;: 100^7 aotavorable reports 
0::::^:::: roe. eoi rororh aiwlee from those ir. the tors: ranis 
in society, to refrain from keeping my : : 0001:07. This, h : wc r- 
er, did not change her mind, until a ministering Friend, tei ng- 
ing to a neighboring meeting came along, with whom she trar- 
eled several weeks, who so pressingly advised her not to many, 
that ier mind became shaker-. Sir ~:o:: ; :: d::ooi::o toe 
subject I accepted the proposal, and we con tu ie 1 if sn : il 1 
be finaL I retired to my father's house, and kept as mnch fbm 
company as I could : not visiting my former intended for abjut 
three months. But, through it all, I felt desirous that she 
rai^h: do well. Pooioo this iast ioteovai 0:007 rr;:-i:ed, :hik- 
ing she hoi escaped roe. Eat afterward, ooeetioo "ith he:. h; 
proposed some conversation on the subject, and when opportu- 
nity offered, informed me that she did not feel satisfied in dis- 
missing the subject, on the principle she did, and chose to 
remove all she had put in the way, Lesvmg me to act according 
to my own choice. It was remark e i that in these three 
months, she had not opened her mouth in public, in any meet- 
ing, until the day I met with her ; though frequently appearing 
before, acceptably, to ah : 1 a ss e a f Frien is. I was again brought 
under exercise, for by this time I had appeaAd several times 
in public, which made a stir amongst many : and viewing how 
ao:eptable she "as with h:ieois. I roli rot::, 
a little jostled by having so much said to her, especially when 
she had seen me very much jostle i several times* 



JOSEPH HOAG. 49 

But, after expressing my feelings to her, and leaving her free 
to consider all, and act according to her own feelings, we both 
believed that we felt a clear evidence that it was right for us to 
join in marriage, and soon proceeded therein, in the fear of the 
Lord, whose counsel we had sought, and whose directions we 
believed we had. And when we came to solemnize our mar- 
riage, the meeting was large and solemn, and we were enabled 
to go through our marriage ceremony, in a deliberate and aud- 
ible manner. We each had a little testimony to bear in the 
meeting, so that we were much confirmed that the Lord owned 
our proceedings, which remains as a seal with us to this day, 
and also as a staff to lean upon through many trying seasons. 

Our marriage occasioned additional suffering for my wife. 
Many judged she was undone, and were not content with neg- 
lecting her, but used their endeavors to discourage and bear 
her down for several years. I was indeed fearful they would 
effect their wishes, yet through the tender mercy of Infinite 
Goodness, she was so graciously preserved, that in the course 
of a number of years she became established, and an acceptable 
minister. 

However singular the penning of these circumstances may 
seem, I believe it right to leave a record of these facts. Having 
had almost forty years of experimental proof in regard to the 
rightfulness of our marriage, I am to this day confirmed that 
the Lord owned our proceedings, notwithstanding we had to 
suffer much from the censure and opposition of some who with 
an apparent zeal, professed it was their duty. Here I would 
leave a caution not to meddle with that which does not belong 
to us ; for, in the order of Divine Justice, that which we mete to 
others will surely be turned on our own heads. Bear in mind 
that the seat of judgment is filled with One in Heaven, before 
whose throne angels and archangels bow, and submissively wait 
for direction how to execute judgment. 

Were the children of men careful so to do, the innocent 
would not suffer oppression from their fellow creatures, nor the 
devil be exalted in the seat of judgment above all that is called 



JOURNAL OF 



God, for all false judgment glorifies him, and builds up his 
kingdom. I feel the more concerned for you, my dear chil- 
dren, believing the Lord has shown me, if you keep your ranks 
in righteousness, that the most of you will have to stand in the 
front of the Lord's assemblies, to turn the battle to the gate, 
and may be often tried with a spirit that loves to get together 
and form bands, and work one another up into a zeal ; the 
sparks thereof is a fire the Lord abhorreth, and will surely blast. 
But as you keep your eye single to the Lord, he will favor you 
to see through all such works of darkness, and so to stand in 
your lots as to escape the snares which are many, and fill up 
your measures in your generation, as shining lights in his hand. 
Yv'e were married when I was about twenty years and six 
months old, and the spring following commenced house-keep- 
ing, being poorly provided with things necessary for farming, 
which rendered my situation embarrassing. I often felt my 
mind drawn to visit neighboring meetings, and sometimes those 
more distant. This gave some Friends who were desirous of 
my welfare, considerable uneasiness, who reasoned on this 
wise : that in my limited circumstances it could hardly be re- 
quired of me, to be so frequently from home, and neglect my 
temporal concerns ; and those who lightly esteemed me would 
take advantage of it, and raise a prejudice against me as being 
a forward person, and this might injure my services, and close 
my way among Friends. These reasonings brought a great ex- 
ercise of mind, and bore me down exceedingly, until the Lord 
helped me, and enabled me to see with clearness, that there 
was no room to scruple the manifestations with which He had 
favored me ; speaking thus intelligibly to my understand- 
ing : "I, the Lord, hold all the treasures of the creation in My 
hand, and I can blast all the endeavors, contrivances and wis- 
dom of man, and give bread to the hungry, and water to the 
needy. When didst thou ever see the righteous forsaken or his 
seed begging bread ! Obey thou My voice, and not that of 
man, and thy bread and thy water shall be sure; thy family 
shall be fed of My bounty, and taken better care of than thou 



JOSEPH HOAG. 51 

art able to take of them." It was also shown me that as I was 
faithful in my gift, Friends would be dipped into sympathy for 
me, and be brought into unity with me, and be moved in their 
spirits to plead my cause ; and that in this way, the opposition 
against me would be overruled. These openings in the light 
revived me, and encouraged me to press forward with renewed 
confidence in the Lord. And here I think right to acknowl- 
edge, with humble gratitude and thankful praises, the tender 
mercies of the adorable Shepherd of Israel; for in a few years 
it all came to pass which had been shown me. Inquiry was 
made abroad why my ministry was not owned, and David 
Sands, a wise man, an able minister, and truly a nursing father 
in the church, took up the subject of my public appearances, 
and laid it so home to my opposers that they gave up to my 
recommendation as a minister. But as my poor wife gave up 
to stay much at home, it was several years before her liberation 
was accomplished. I have cause to acknowledge that the 
counsel of the Lord is better than all the wisdom of man, for in 
the former there is no disappointment, while man's wisdom 
fails. 

There is an occurrence which I am not free to omit, which 
is this : Nearly a year after I went to house-keeping, I went on 
temporal business about twelve miles from home, where I had 
no knowledge of the people. As I came in sight of a house, I 
felt my mind arrested to stop and go in. The impression in- 
creased with such weight that I was afraid to pass by. So 
I alighted and went in. As I entered the door, this portion 
of Scripture, powerfully ran through my mind : "Set thy house 
in order, for thou shalt surely die and not live." I was exceed- 
ingly struck with the language, and instead of uttering it, as I 
ought, I sat down and reasoned, until a cloud came over my 
mind, and concluded that I was too young and had not arrived 
to experience enough to deliver such a solemn and awful mes- 
sage. And how did I know but that it was all the work of the 
wicked one. So I got up and left without delivering the mes- 
sage, but went away with a heavy heart. Yet I pursued my 



52 JOURNAL OF 

business, and when returning trie next day, the same impression 
came over me, but I rode by and went home, but lost my peace 
and testimony, which did not return, I think, for months. In 
about a year after, passing the same road, when I came in sight 
of the house, my former exercise came fresh before me, but I 
had no impression to stop. Yet it took my thoughts so that I 
called at another house near by, and enquired after the family, 
when I was told that a great change had taken place within 
three months ; that the family had always been healthy, and 
there had been no death, nor serious sickness amongst them 
before ; they had twelve children under the same roof, and that 
within three months the mother and seven of the children had 
died with a fever, within a few weeks of each other. I then 
asked if they were religious people ; the answer was no, not at all. 
By this time I had got a load, and was in a fit condition for Satan 
to buffet. Notwithstanding I had passed through deep suffer- 
ings and sore chastenings, for an omission of duty, I often 
thought if I could be favored with the return of peace, I should 
be willing to perform any duty that might be required, if I had 
a sure evidence. I greatly feared being deceived, or running 
without right authority, and desired to know with certainty 
whether I had done wrong, in withholding as I did. At length 
this language was presented to my mind : As thou did it not 
through willful disobedience, but through fear of being deceiv- 
ed, there is forgiveness for thee. Soon after this my peace in 
good measure returned, and I had appeared a number of times 
in public, to my own comfort, and felt pretty well settled, until 
I heard the account of the deaths in that family. And then 
the enemy poured in his floods upon me, in this way, that now 
I knew for certainty, that I had disobeyed the word of the 
Lord, that I had not warned the wicked, and they had died 
in their sins, and their blood was required at my hands ; that 
the idea I had of finding forgiveness, was , all imagination, so 
that I was almost driven to despair, and had not the Lord in 
mercy rebuked the old serpent, I should have sunk and given 
up the ghost. Adored be the Lord's holy name, forevermore ! 



JOSEPH HOAG. 



Here I can but remark that had I, instead of entering into 
reasonings set down in the quiet, and shut the door of my 
mind, and turned to the Lord with humble prayer, that He would 
preserve me from all delusion, and give strength to do His will ; 
no doubt I should have been enabled to do my duty, enjoyed 
a tranquil and peaceful mind, and escaped the buffetingsof Sa- 
tan. I should have saved loss of time, escaped abundance of 
sorrow and woe, and have been abundance better able to fill up 
my duty, both in a temporal and a religious line. I have suf- 
fered almost every way on account of my remissness herein, 
for when my mind was so much perplexed, I was not able to 
manage my temporal affairs to good account. May these por- 
tions of sorrowful experience be lessons of lasting instruction to 
my posterity. 

I now return to the time of our commencing business, which 
was the spring after our marriage. My father persuaded me 
to take part of a farm, which I consented to, though I pro- 
ceeded against my own feelings ; for my mind was often turned 
towards a small meeting in the Little Xine Partners ; and 
this impression always appeared pleasant, and continued with 
me several years. But when I mentioned the subject in my 
fathers hearing he would speak discouragingly ; and having 
confidence in his judgment, I submitted, to the wounding of 
my feelings, until the prospect left me. But so it turned that 
when brought into great straits in my affairs, that I had a 
chance to sell my farm well, and did so. Then I wanted to 
take a look into the Little Xine Partners to see what I could 
do there, but father endeavored to prevent it. So after taking 
half of another farm I went on with fresh courage, thinking I 
could now live. But soon after it would come into my mind, 
now thou must go into the new country to live. And this fol- 
lowed me from month to month for years, though I strove to 
put it out of my mind. When I mentioned it, my wife ap- 
peared opposed and her connections firm against it; likewise 
my parents spoke discouragingly, and I gave up the prospect, 
thinking I could get a living there, But things continued to work 



54 JOURNAL OF 

agamst me from time to time. In the course of two rears I lost 
much, of my stock so that I had to buy my meat instead of hav- 
ing some to sell. This brought me into a great strait and much 
reasoning, so that I called all in question in regard to my set- 
tling in a married state, instead of seeking to the Lord to know 
why it was. In this I missed the mark, and got so far bewild- 
ered as to cause unnecessary exercise in regard to my getting 
along. 

In the spring of the year, after sustaining the aforementioned 
losses, my house took fire and burned up. Now we were 
stripped in a manner naked, including all that my wife brought, 
with the exception of two beds and their covering ; that is of 
things about the house, which fire would consume, and my 
wife had a good setting out, she being an able farmer's daugh- 
ter. After this father took us home for awhile. Then after 
getting my business a little arranged, and having but little 
property left to depend upon, finding myself some in debt, my 
father and father-in-law seeing how I was situated joined and 
paid half of my debts. From that time I had to manage for 
mvself without any material help from any other quarter, mov- 
ing once or twice a year for several years, until I paid my 
debts, and got something to help rnyself with. 

The following circumstance, I think right to record, for not- 
withstanding all my exercises and losses of property, I was so 
far favored in the ministry, that in about five years from my 
first appearance therein, I was recommended. I think about 
this time I was reduced to my greatest straits by losses 
except what went with my house. And being anxious to live 
above board, as I heard of some lands owned by a Friend in 
New York, lying not far from a settlement of Friends, and 
that the owner wanted to sell them, I went to see if I could get 
a chance to help myself ; but I did not succeed. I got into 
New York on first day, in time to attend the morning meeting. 
I had a favored testimony to bear, and was more enlarged than 
at anv previous time, and was affectionately noticed by Friends 
after meeting 



JOSEPH 110AG. 



Next* day I left the city, to meet my father as I had agreed, 
who was on business at West Chester. But before I got off of 
York-Island it came upon me with great weight to turn back 
into the city and attend their next meeting, for the Lord was 
going to visit the city with a sore mortality, and it was re- 
quired of me to warn them thereof, and proclaim repentance in 
the city. Under the weight of this exercise I struggled much, 
and reasoned for several hours ; not that I scrupled so much its 
being the word of the Lord, as I did, Jonah like, for I feared 
that if it did not come speedily to pass, I should be censured 
as a deceived man. But after setting by the way side a long 
time, it was opened to my mind as plain as though it had been 
printed, " it shall not come speedily, and they will receive thy 
message coolly, and thou will be censured for it ; but when it 
cometh to pass, they shall remember thy warning, and have to 
acknowledge that the Lord was thy director, and His word was 
truth in thy mouth, for it shall surely come. Bat if thou diso- 
bey Me, I, the Lord, will bring trouble on thee that shall be 
much worse to bear." "When this appeared I concluded to go 
and see my father and return, as there was plenty of time for it 
I thought. It then came to me not to go to him, but return 
back ; but I thought father would think strange of it, as there 
was time enough to go and come. Then it came into my 
mind thus : write'to thy father, and that will be better than 
for thee to go to him. Yet I went to father ; I informed him 
of my prospect to return into the city to attend the Quarterly 
Meeting. 

He strongly opposed it and invited me to go with him. I 
complied with the invitation, though against my feelings, and 
it proved an entire prevention of my getting to the Quarterly 
Meeting. This threw me into great confusion. 

I was in great distress nearly all the time I was in that part 
of the countiy ; and I never had an opportunity afterwards to 
relieve my mind of the before-mentioned subject. Another 
stepped in and took the crown, They were warned, and death 



56 JOURNAL OF 

came. This step of mine opened the door for the heaviest suf- 
ferings I ever experienced from without. 

(It appears from his memoranda ; that these sufferings continued sev- 
eral months, in consequence., of misconceptions and unfounded reports in 
regard to his movements, and although his accusers did not succeed in 
carrying through their designs, yet he was discouraged from exercising 
his gift in the ministry for a time.) 

At length I was taken sick with vomiting which continued 
without much intermission until I thought I was dying. Un- 
der this apprehension I turned my attention to reflect how I 
was going ; it looked all dark, and I felt I was sinking into 
utter darkness, which so alarmed me that the bed shook under 
me, and caused me to cry, Lord, have mercy on me ! what have 
I done that this must be my doom ? The query was quickly 
answered ; " thou hast obeyed man and not Me ; thou hast given 
up the testimony which I, the Lord, gave thee to bear, because 
man has commanded thee to be silent when I did not ; neither 
did I command man to do such a thing. Now, go thou to man 
and let him save thee." When this word came, I felt as if my 
breath was going from me, and I gave up ; but a calm came 
over my mind, and a clear, gentle voice, in this language, salu- 
ted the ear of my soul : " wilt thou obey Me, if I spare thee this 
once V I quickly answered, " yes, I will, Lord, if Thou com- 
mand me to go through the fire or water." • 

My sickness ceased almost instantly. I soon asked for victu- 
als ; after eating a little I soon got up and walked the house. 
Next day, the seventh of the week, I did a pretty good day's 
work in the field, which was a wonder to the neighbors who 
saw me the day before. The day following I went to meeting, 
in the early part of which I felt an opening in gospel authority, 
and arose on my feet with these words : " The word preached 
doth not profit unless it be mixed with faith in the hearer," 
and bore a lengthy testimony, much to the relief and sweet 1 
peace of my mind. This caused an alarm, and the elders got 
together to consult what to do. Two or three of them were 
for laying an absolute command upon me to keep silent, but I 



JOSEPH HOAG. 5? 

was informed that a young elder asked the others if they be- 
lieved I had a gift in the ministry. They answered, " Yes ; " 
he replied, " and we have owned it, we have recommended 
him ; now, I want you to answer one question. Did you 
ever hear Joseph more in the clearness of gospel power than he 
was to-day ? " they answered, " no." Then he replied, " it is 
a proof the Lord hath not forsaken him, and I shall have no 
hand in silencing him, for I am afraid to fight against God." 
They replied, " what shall we do ? " he answered, " set him at 
liberty ; " which was in a measure, soon clone. Still I had 
much to pass through for several years on account of jealousies 
and surmisings, but the Lord preserved rhe through it all, 
blessed be His goodness and holy power. During this time a 
minister from Long Island, came to our Monthly Meeting and 
harshly censured it for allowdng me to visit meetings out of its 
limits. This man in a few years so lost his standing as to get 
under dealings, thereby losing his influence. There were two 
others who followed me privately and publicly, one of whom 
died in a few years, having had his share of trouble on account 
of a difficulty between himself and'an elder of his own meeting, 
which so shut up his way that he could never afterward get a 
certificate to travel. 

The other got into a way of preaching, so much as to be= 
come burdensome to his friends, whereby he lost much of their 
esteem. It comes close to my feelings, dear children, to "write 
these truths, for I w r ould prefer like Noah's sons, to throw a 
garment over the nakedness of these ministers, if I could have 
felt easy so to do. But such is the evil that hath been done 
in our Society in my day, by private whispering, private influ- 
ence, and these, under the appearance of great concern and 
zeal, so as to deceive the simple, and set the sincere-hearted 
one against another, and to make wounds that are not easily 
healed ; seeing that what we mete to others will be meted to 
us again. I desire you may be so warned and instructed that 
you may take care and never be drawn away, or prejudiced 
against any one, without first knowing both sides ; then let 
4 



58 JOURNAL OF 

truth and justice be your standard, lest you fare like those 
poor men, who were all three favored ministers, while they 
kept to the Master's leadings, and only judged as He gave 
them judgment. 

A criminal is entitled to just judgment, and it is enough to 
bear his own sins, When the mind of one who means to be 
just, is drawn away to give unjust judgement with zeal, in this 
he glorifies the devil and builds up his kingdom. This grieves 
the spirit of Christ and wounds the feelings of the sufferer, and 
Christ will not reward with his blessing for such sendees. When 
the superficial, designing and evil-minded succeed and get the 
better class to be tools for them, it strengthens and encourages 
them to repeat their conduct. In this way, abundance of dis- 
cord is promoted, the innocent, many of them, deeply wound- 
ed, and the evil-minded encouraged to rush headlong, until de- 
struction opens her mouth and swallows them up. 

Again, if angels have to wait until God gives them judgment, 
and then for directions how to minister and administer it, how 
careful ought poor finite creatures to be how they execute judg- 
ment without divine direction. After living through many and 
varied trials with an almost constant scene of conflict and being 
permitted to get my mind into the quiet, I entered into deep 
searching of heart to know the cause of trouble so continually 
coming upon me. The Lord in His own time gave me to see 
that if I had sought to Him for direction, instead of listening 
to human contrivings, I might have been settled in Little 
Nine Partners for many years and been in my right place, 
where the Lord's blessing would have been upon me ; but as I 
had neglected His pointings therein, He had withheld it. Not- 
withstanding, I had striven so long m this way that I had neither 
money or friends to help me, it now appeared clear that if I 
would give up and go into the new country I should be blessed. 
It so settled on my mind that I told it to my wife, and opened 
my prospect to my own and to her relations. My keeping stead- 
ily to the prospect brought my wife under deep concern. How- 
ever, it was not long before she told me that she saw so clearly 



JOSEPH HOAG. 50 

there was a good farm for us in the country (where we now 
live), that she was willing to go with me, ever after remaining 
steady in the prospect, and thinks we are on the very spot 
which was presented to her view. 

When I opened the prospect to my friends for their consent, 
they utterly denied me any liberty to move. .In this situation 
they kept me for more than two years, which did not jostle me, 
feeling easy in having done all on my part without feeling hard 
towards them, fully believing they would have to give it up. 
The Lord had shown me that I had much to suffer for my own 
neglect, so that I dared not murmur. 

I saw that I had suffered the loss of property for not attend- 
ing to the pointings of true wisdom in settling ; also, that my 
neglecting to turn back when I was coming out of New York, 
as the Lord required of me, was another great cause of my fall- 
ing into trials. It grieved me much to find so many of the 
honest-hearted amongst us so unfavorably impressed that they 
were shy of my company, and I went mourning on this account 
many days. It also grieved me that I had given any occasion 
for the superficial to triumph and^to have advantage to deceive 
the better ranks amongst us, but the adorable Shepherd of Isra= 
el was pleased to shew me that for my revolting it was just for 
me to suffer, and that when I had suffered enough he would 
plead my cause, and that the works of the ungodly who had 
spread discord among brethren should turn on their own heads. 
And whereas they had pretended a godly concern to hide their 
deceit, those should be blasted in my day. This I have seen 
come to pass very fully, and the Lord showed me also that those 
of the better class who judged by the sight of the eye and 
hearing of the ear, and these, only on hearing one side, judged 
wrong ; that they should suffer for their own wrong, while those 
who looked to him for counsel would be sensible of the truth 
in the life of it, for that salutes its own. All this have I expe- 
rienced and seen come to pass. Let these remarks, my chil- 
dren, be way-marks, and let other's harms be lessons of improve- 
ment to you. . This opening much relieved my mind and raised 



60 JOURNAL OF 

my drooping spirits, and I took renewed courage to try to do 
as well as I could. 

I mentioned previously of Friends holding me back from 
moving. It was, I think, a year before I got leave to purchase 
lands in the new country, and two years before I got leave to 
move, and yet another year before we got certificates, although 
I had settled all my outward affairs. The year we were de- 
tained from moving proved well for my wife, as she went to 
reside at her father's in the verge of Little Nine Partners meet- 
ing, where she grew in the ministry and in the life, as well as 
in largeness of testimony, so that soon after moving into this 
country she was approved as a minister and continues in good 
esteem. 

After we settled in this country, things turned otherwise with 
us ; we prospered remarkably and soon got into a comfortable 
way of living, having a good possession, which we yet enjoy, 
having the pleasure of entertaining many friends. 

I do" not speak of our friends discouraoino; us from moving 
as censuring them, for the misfortunes I had met with, caused 
them to think I should never be able to provide for my family. 
But the God of all tender mercies helped to bear up our minds, 
and carried us through all the trials He permitted to come up- 
on us, and we have lived to see to our great comfort, seven Pre- 
parative Meetings, three Monthly Meetings, and a Quarterly 
Meeting settled in this country. "Whereas, when I first came 
here, there were but three families of Friends, they being set- 
tled wide apart. 

After a number of Friends had moved into these parts I felt 
much concerned that Friends should keep together in the 
Truth, and live up to their principles ; on which account I la- 
bored much. Many of them came with little thought, further 
than to obtain property, and it seemed hard to turn their at- 
tention to any other concern ; so much so, that when some of 
us met together they opposed us, and when we wanted to re- 
quest for a meeting, they kept us back for some time, pleading 
that we lived too much scattered — that when the country was 



JOSEPH HOAG. 61 

cleared up and the roads made good, and Friends got fore*- 
handed — then it was time enough, for then we could attend 
meetings comfortably and entertain our friends. But not 
thinking these reasons sufficient, we determined, after awhile, 
to forward a request, and when they saw they could not keep 
us back any longer they put their hands to it. We soon ob- 
tained a meeting, and in a few years we had an established 
Preparative Meeting. 

During this interval I had to make several visits to the meet- 
ings and neighborhoods in the compass of which I was now 
settled. This, I have since seen, was ordered in the wisdom of 
Providence, in a two fold sense. Firstly, that now my labors 
were mostly to be in this and the adjoining country, and 
this could not be without the unity of my Friends, and gener- 
ally so of the Monthly Meeting. Secondly, as some from oth- 
er parts, took pains to send the reports that had been spread 
about me, into all these northern parts, especially among the 
select members, with this charge — if I came there, to take 
good care of me, for I was a strong-headed, forward man, and 
they feared I would do much Jiurt. This so affected many, 
that they appeared cool towards me, which made hard work 
for some time. 

The first of those visits was pretty soon after I got my fam- 
ily settled in this country. I felt my mind weightily arrested 
to attend Easton Monthly Meeting, with such clearness that I 
fully believed it my duty. Accordingly I went. I arrived 
there when nearly dark in the evening. Xext day I attended 
the Monthly Meeting, which was composed of Easton, Sarato- 
ga, Queensbury, and White Creek Preparative Meetings ; con- 
sequently it was large, most of the principal members being in 
attendance. As I entered the meeting house these thoughts 
came into my mind. " How ought those who sit in the front 
of the meeting so to conduct as to adorn the seat of Moses, as 
judges and lights in Israel ? " It rested on me until I was 
made sensible it was my duty to leave it among them, and 
feeling the lively authority of Truth, I arose with these words ; 



62 JOURNAL OF 

" Friends, it is often the case when I come into the meeting- 
house and cast my eyes towards the gallery, that the thought 
comes over me, how ought those who sit there in Moses' seat 
to adorn the place, as pillars in the church, to be shining ex- 
amples to the people ? Friends ! our neighbors have a right to 
look for it — our children have a right to call for it. The con- 
sideration of this subject many times causes my heart to trem- 
ble when I look towards the gallery. 0, Friends ! were this 
class what they ought to be how they would hold up the stand- 
ard of light and life to the people, and the language of encour- 
agement to the assemblies of the Lord. Then would He bless 
His heritage, and his standard-bearers with wisdom and sound 
judgment. But, Friends, it appears to me that there are 
amongst you those who have mounted Moses' seat, who sit in 
your galleries, whom the Lord has never placed there — whose 
conduct has been a reproach." Then I was led to show how 
they injured the cause of Truth, and grieved their honest 
brethren, to whose hearts the testimony of Truth was more 
dear than their natural lives, and how they caused the seeking 
enquirer after the ways of Zion to stumble, and give an advan- 
tage for gain-sayers to reproach and the daughters of the un- 
circumcised to triumph. Then I was led to call upon the 
Joshuas to arise, and cleanse the camp and remove the accursed 
thing out of the host, that Israel might journey forward. Then 
I felt my mind turned to other subjects. 

After meeting, my aged aunt, Anna Hoag, came to me, with 
tears running down her cheeks, took me by the hand with these 
words, " Dear Joseph, keep to thy Master, and He will keep 
thee, and thou wilt not be destroyed." Friends then generally 
looked upon and spoke to me pleasantly. I went to my un- 
cle's and my aunt took a seat by me, and said, " Joseph, I 
must tell thee, for we know thou couldst not have had any 
outward knowledge, as thou hast not been amongst us since the 
occurrence took place, (which was true), there is a Friend in 
White Creek meeting, who sits on the high seat, at the right 
hand, and has quarrelled with his neighbors about their land 



JOSEPH II0AG. 63 

lines, and carried it to such a length, that he has got the neigh- 
borhood, both in Society and out, in an uproar ; and that 
Friends were then laboring with him to get the business settled;" 
then said, " Joseph, if thou keepest thy place, this day's labor 
will make thy way amongst us, let them say what they will." 
Before I left the place, (I think it was), I was told there 
was another Friend living at Queensbury, who was a man in a 
good deal of business, and sat on the front seat, at the right 
hand. He had so much jangling in doing business, that Friends 
had been laboring for some time to get his affairs settled, and 
one of his neighbors told him in their presence, that it " would 
have been much for the credit of the Quakers, and the peace 
of the neighborhood, if he had been put under ground 
years ago." Both these Friends sat on the second rising seat, 
and nearly before me, at the Monthly Meeting. I soon returned 
home, taking one meeting in my way, having great peace of 
mind. I had abundantly to marvel in deep humiliation, at the 
wonderful goodness of the Lord in thus making a way for me, 
where I believe blind zeal had endeavored to close it, 

Sometime after this, I went again to Monthly Meeting at 
Easton, and having it on my mind to appoint some meetings 
on my return home, I informed the Meeting of my prospect, 
and had its approbation, expecting after meeting, to pursue 
it. But as soon as I came out of meeting, it seemed to shut 
down over my mind, for some hours. An old experienced 
Minister remarked to me, after meeting, (who had approved of 
my prospect), that while the subject was before the Meeting, 
the remark of John Churchman came into his mind, when, in 
England a large prospect opened towards other people, and a 
language followed, that there was need of his labors in our 
Society ; or nearly to this amount. He said, he had not men- 
tioned this, with the intention to discourage me ; but I could 
not see anything in it for several hours. At length I dismissed 
part of my company, and my mind was turned towards White 
Creek, entirely another way. My aged uncle and aunt went 
with me, and we lay by during seventh day, with my mind 



64 JOURNAL OF 

much depressed and under a cloud, and thick darkness ; so 
that I was not capable of being sociable with my friends. We 
attended the first-day meeting there, in the course of which I 
was favored with a pretty lively opening ; but as soon as I came 
out of the house, distress came over me. I felt almost amazed, 
so that I could not tell where to go, or what to thick of myself. 
My aunt came to me, and invited me to go and see a woman 
who had been long sick. I went with her, but had not been 
long in the house before it was opened to my mind, that the 
sick woman was in despair, wearing out in a decline, under the 
affliction of all the terrifying ideas that the human mind was ca- 
pable of realizing. I was led to state her condition to her, and 
how she came into it: and that if she labored to get into the 
quiet, and then turned her attention to the Lord, and pour 
forth to Him her prayers, they would be heard and she would 
experience reconciliation with her God, and her peace to be 
made, witnessing the seals of redeeming love, before she went 
hence, to be seen of men no more. Before we left, she called 
my aunt to her, and told her I had described her thoughts and 
feelings, better than she could herself, and that was an evidence 
to her, that I was right, and now she had hope. I was informed 
afterwards, by her sister who nursed her, that she soon became 
very quiet, and sometime before she died, she expressed, that 
she had become reconciled to her Maker, and was willing to 
die ; feeling that peace and love, which was an evidence to her, 
that her sins were forgiven, and she should be happy. She de- 
parted easy, and quiet. 

"We returned to our lodgings ; I felt easy and quiet, and 
thought I saw why I had been plunged into such extreme suf- 
ferings the afternoon before ; but still could see no way to move, 
or what step to take next, until near nine o'clock next morning, 
when, sitting down with the family, it opened clearly to me I 
must go to East Hoosick next, a place I most dreaded of any I 
knew of in those parts. Now, the time had come, that I must 
go. I released the company, except my aged uncle and aunt 
who went with me, It was a good day's ride, so that we got 



JOSEPH HOAG. 65 

in late. My mind was depressed with a heavy hearted feeling' 
all day. Next morning, aunt proposed to go to Isaac Kelley's, 
which I felt free to do ; but soon after I mounted my horse, it 
came into my mind, " whatsoever house or city ye enter, there 
abide till ye go thence." I told it to my aunt, she advised me 
to keep to my own feelings. As soon as we entered Isaac's 
house, and I had taken him by the hand, I asked him if he was 
willing to let me have a room, where I might be, and no one 
know that I was there. He led me into another room ; it was 
well furnished for my accommodation. There I staid until near 
sunset, then walked out on a hill, viewed the place and re- 
turned. 

I slept but little that night, for my distress kept with me, 
and rather increased, so that in the morning I walked the 
house pretty much, until one hour before meeting. I then 
laid down and dropped into a sweet sleep. When I awoke, 
rising up, I saw the people gathering into the meeting house. 
While looking at them I felt as though I should faint, and said 
to myself, " I cannot go into that house, for I have not 
strength to get there ; " and I sat down. I ha,d not sat long, 
before a language ran through me, " go ! and I will go with 
thee, and be thy strength." 

I rose on my feet, and went to meeting feeling pretty well 
composed. I soon found I had been mistaken with regard to 
them as I had for years viewed them, very much refined indeed, 
for they were the most reserved in conversation, of any Friends 
I ever saw ; strictly uniform in their dress, and plain to a nicety. 
Their select members were so particular, that many of our little 
preachers hardly dared to speak before them. But when I 
came to sit with them, I was almost amazed for one hour ; for, 
instead of finding all things in perfection, I could think of but 
little else, than when the sons of God met together, Satan came 
also amongst them. I had to take this subject up, and show 
them that it was reasonable to believe that Job was one of 
those Sons of God, and that Satan meeting with them, was 
with an intent to make an inroad amongst them ; and when he 



66 JOURNAL OF 

got liberty to fall upon the best man amongst them, he soon ef- 
fected it by raising a false zeal in Job's friends, which set them 
accusing Job of that of which he knew he was not guilty ; he 
therefore knew their zeal was false, and did not come from God. 
This made Job turn their charges upon their own heads, until 
the controversy ran so high, that they charged each other with 
falsehood, violence, hypocrisy and speaking wickedly for God ; 
and while they strove to mend each other's faults and neglected 
their own, they made a bad matter worse. I continued, " now, 
Friends, look and see what an example these peculiar friends of 
Job set ; these great, wise, and religious men, all believing in 
the one principle, and the true God." I was led to open all 
parts of the subject and apply them; feeling Gospel authority 
to arise in my mind, all fear of man was taken away, and Di- 
vine Power raised into dominion. I was led to press it on 
each of them, to mend their own faults, as they were the only 
ones who could do it, and then there would be nothing to dif- 
fer about, for that ended the controversy between Job and his 
friends. "When this was done, they could meet together in 
unity, as before* Then I addressed them thus ; " Friends, look 
to these things, why are my feelings thus ? is there not a cause ? 
And why should those who have been anointed with royal oil, 
and have borne the shield of God in the day of battle, whose 
sword returned not empty from the slaughter — why should it 
be said of thee they have vilely fallen on the mountains of Gil- 
boa, as though the shield had not befen anointed with oil? 
Publish it not in Gath, tell it not in the streets of Askelon, lest 
the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uneircumcised 
triumph." With these words, I think I sat down, finding my 
mind well relieved, and feeling as if I was in a new world. Af- 
ter meeting, several Friends came to the house where I stopped 
and showed a disposition for conversation, but I felt cautious, 
believing it was best for me to keep pretty quiet, though I felt 
a freedom to go to some of their houses. But all kept still, 
except asking me a few questions, which I briefly answered. 
Next morning, as soon as I awoke, it came into my mind, 



JOSEPH IIOAG. C7 

" Get tliee out as thou came in." I mused a little upon it, and 
a second language ran through my mind, " thou came in here 
knowing nothing of what is among them ; now, get thee out 
knowing nothing ; this is best for thee." I got directly up, 
put on my clothes, got some victuals as soon as I could, took 
leave of my Friends, mounted my horse, and went direct home, 
leaving my uncle and aunt there, and heard no more from them 
for several months. Here ended my prospect, that the Month- 
ly Meeting had approbated ; it has never returned to me since. 
I have had to remember the old Friend's remark, having found 
more need of my labors at that time, among Friends than other 
people. 

Several months after this, I fell in company with aunt again. 
She asked me if I had heard from Hoosick since I was there. 
I let her know I had not. She remarked, she would now let 
me know how it was, as she thought I now could bear it, and 
that she believed it was well I came away when I did ; for, had 
I staid, and heard matters talked up as she did, she thought 
likely it would have been too much for me to bear. It was 
wonderful how I was led, and that *the parties on all hands were 
exceedingly broken down under it, and that she and uncle staid 
and labored with them until they brought them to a settlement, 
and an agreement to drop all matters past, and be at peace one 
with another. She informed, that the contention began amongst 
the Select members, and had divided the whole Monthly Meet- 
ing, and spread far among other. ^people. She then observed, 
" so thou may see thy sufferings Svere not for nothing, and now 
thy way is clear with Friends there." 

I made a number of little visits in the compass of my own 
quarter, in the course of a year or two, generally to the satis- 
faction of Friends and others, and much to the satisfaction of 
my own mind. I was often brought to admire the wonderful 
goodness of God, in supporting my mind, and carrying me 
through, where there seemed to be no way. Blessed be His 
adorable goodness. 

After a few years, I felt my mind drawn to perform a religious 



68 JOURNAL OF 

visit to my native place, and parts adjacent. I laid this pros- 
pect before the Monthly Meeting, and had its fall unity, but 
having lost ray minutes of that journey, I can leave no more 
than occurs clearly to my memory. I set out in the beginning 
of winter, with Eeuben Peckham for my companion. After 
taking a few meetings about East on, we rode to Coeyman's 
Patent. On our way, we fell in with a little preacher by the 
name of Rowland Robinson, who kept our company for several 
weeks. Before we got to our quarters at night at Coeyman's, 
we passed a house, and saw a plain man at the door. The 
sight of him struck my mind with a disagreeable feeling, and 
Rowland's as much so. I concluded he was not what he ap- 
peared to be, for he appeared to be a plain Friend. We pass- 
ed on nearly a mile, and put up at Jonathan Souls. Not feel- 
ing easy about the man we had passed, we enquired after him, 
and were informed that he was a solid Friend, who had been re- 
ceived a member not a great while since. This increased our 
exercise, so next morning we walked back, and made the 
family a visit, not feeling easy to omit it. Pretty soon Row- 
land addressed the widow and fatherless, and for awhile I could 
not see what he was at, though there was an aged widow in the 
family and we knew it not. But he did not apply his commu- 
nication there ; which caused a serious exercise to come over 
my mind how we should come out ; and while thus musing, it 
came upon me with weight, and an awful feeling, in this lan- 
guage : "When a man neglects his wife, withdraws his affec- 
tions from her, and does not provide for her and her children, 
then his wife becomes a widow and the children fatherless, 
while he is yet in the body ; and when this is done with the 
view of religion, believing it to be duty, it was the temptation 
of Satan, and the works of darkness, which God would blast in 
the end." As soon as Rowland stopped speaking, I was ready 
and the words went through me, I thought, like a flaming 
sword, and caused the man to tremble. Then I was led to 
show how people got into such darkness, and what they had to 
take heed to, to come out of it ; as also what would be their 



JOSEPH HOAO. 69 

reasonings to uphold such wrong principles, and with what con- 
fidence, and hardness of heart it would oppose all that was right 
or of the Lord. I closed my service to the forsaken and afflict- 
ed, directing to keep in the patience, with the mind resigned 
.to the Providence of God ; casting all care, and placing all con* 
fidence in Him ; then every tribulation would be sanctified to 
us, and every bitter cup would be sweetened in the end, with 
the reward of peace. When we concluded the visit, the woman 
and wife took me by the hand, with tears on her face, and ex- 
claimed, "I am a widow, and no widow neither." I turned 
and took the man by the hand, he looked me in the face, with 
a fiery countenance, and said "I am dead, and burnt up, there 
is none of the old corrupt nature in me, it is all consumed ; I 
have no power to gratify the flesh," I let him know that the 
spirit that separated man and wife, was the devil, and under 
the curse, and so parted. We told Friends, how we found 
them, and they went forward, searched into the matter, and 
found things every way as they appeared to us, and that the 
man had been in full communion with the ranting Shakers, se- 
cretly, for several months, for which he was disowned. 

From here, we passed to Hudson, and then down the west 
side of the river, taking all the meetings down, as far as Friends 
then lived, besides having a number of meetings amongst other 
people, in all of which, the merciful Shepherd of Israel was 
pleased to open and direct our way, and favor with His life- 
giving presence, so that our visit' was much more acceptable 
amongst Friends, than I expected, and abundantly so amongst 
other people. 

There was one occurrence in this part of my journey I do 
not feel easy to omit. When at Cokeat, a meeting consisting 
mostly of Friends, who joined Society by convincement ; 
after I had, as I thought, cleared my mind in a pretty large 
mixed gathering and had sat down, it soon opened in my mind 
in such clearness that there was no room to doubt, that I must 
communicate what was shown me. I stood up with these 
words, "I sat down expecting I had cleared my mind, but 



70 JOURNAL OF 

since taking my seat it has appeared to me that there are those 
in this meeting, who in days past were convinced of the Trnth 
and covenanted with the Lord that they would be His, and 
serve Him ; and when this was the case they walked to- 
gether in the unity of the Spirit, and were each other's joy in 
the Lord ; but now they had got settled down in the love of 
the world, and were at variance about Interest matters, so as to 
censure each other with fraud and falsehoods, and this publicly, 
before neighbors, so as to be a stumbling block and a proverb 
in their mouths. Friends, this will not do — if you do not stop 
and return to your first love the Lord will take the crown from 
your heads and put it on the heads of them who will be more 
righteous than you are.'' I delivered considerable more that I 
do not remember. After meeting we stopped near by to take 
dinner, and while there, I was called into another room. 
There lay a man on the bed weeping, who confessed that he 
and his cousin, who were both at meeting, were guilty, for they 
had been at variance sometime about Interest ; and only the 
day before they were invited with a number more to help a 
neighbor, and there they got to talking on the subject, got into 
a quarrel and gave each other the he, and threatened to com- 
plain of, and turn each other out of the meeting ; and that their 
neighbors who heard them quarrel were at meeting to-day, and 
he could not live so, but must have it settled, and wanted me 
to assist. I referred it to other Friends, they were caUed in, 
and the business was settled on the spot ; but I was told his 
cousin was very obstinate. At length the penitent told the 
other he would give up all his demands, though he suffered 
loss ; the other concluded if he would settle so he would settle 
with him, and so the matter ended with them. I was at that 
meeting a number of years after, and found the penitent man 
a substantial Friend, and one of the main pillars of that meet- 
ing ; the stubborn one had gone out, was disowned, and had 
become a poor creature, doubtless reaping the blast of his de- 
parting from his first-love. I was informed these two were 
very intimate when they. came among. Friends. 



JOSEPH HO AG. 71 

After getting through these parts, we crossed the river and 
visited Oswego, Apoquage, and all the Oblong meetings, 
and having cleared my mind in these parts, witnessing the arm 
of Israel's Shepherd to strengthen and carry me through many 
deep wadings and painful exercises, and to give strength to 
clear my mind so as to feel peace and solid satisfaction. We 
then proceeded to Nine Partners, my native place. Here a 
field of labor opened, not only amongst Friends, but others ; 
and the Lord favored me from day to day with life and gospel 
authority in my labors. This gladdened the heart of many of 
my friends who feared how it would turn with me when I 
moved from them ; it was a time of comfort to us all. From 
here we went to Hudson, crossed the river, and had a number 
of meetings amongst other people, and had extensive labor be- 
ing much enlarged while there. When I bad cleared my 
mind in these parts, I felt at liberty to return home, after being 
absent, (I think,) more than three months, and found my family 
and friends well and glad to see me return. 

The next visit of any considerable length of time that I find 
any account of was pretty much through the old part of our 
Yearly Meeting ; but the date is lost. I remember this was a 
very exercising prospect to me, for I should have to visit all 
the meetings where I had my former difficulties and had suf- 
fered so much, that I thought I was willing to undergo any- 
thing that could be endured for peace sake. 

I laid my concern before Friends, had their unity, and pro- 
ceeded on my journey in the early part of the winter, having 
Stephen Rogers, of Danby, an elderly Friend, for companion. 
He had large acquaintance through the Yearly Meeting, was in 
good standing, and was of good use to me in this journey. 
We visited, I think, nearly all the meetings on the east side of 
the Hudson river as we went, till we arrived at New York, where 
we made a stop for several days. Here, I may remark, that 
we passed along pretty smoothly until we got into the compass 
of Purchase Monthly Meeting, and though no outward opposi- 
tion appeared, yet from meeting to meeting it seemed like 



12 KHAI J 

standing in fi : : castle walls and bulwarks. But it was 
marv; > me that the Holy Shepherd of Israel so harnessed 

inv mind with strength and fortitude that all the castles could 

« 

not stc the cnrren: : Gk -nel life; my mind being led into the 
::' meetings bo dearly that it was acknowledged by 

Friends to my companion, from place to place, that they did not 
expect it from me ; and they believed it was right I was there 
in this manner. Ti-: .-.:".:-_;-.":"_:- g-::iiess :: tie Alriigi:v. ^~ 
tained and carried me through : blessed be His name. 

I now return where I digressed from. After staying sev- 
eral days ;.: New Fork, and having some dose service there, 
minds feeling dear, we ; : :oceeded to [Flushing, and had a 
pretty fall meeting th i the day following we were at 

C : w Xeek. Z::: J" 

sometimes had a little testimony to bear. I had to fol- 

low mi and bear a testimony igainst jovetousness, and neigh- 

>rs injuring es ;h >therin interest or credit; showing that it 

promoted hardn - ;:'■::: families, spread discord in Society, 

abundance : ::. I showed :iiem how different this 

was from that i nation which vndured all things, with 
meekness and patien . foi th testimony of Jesus, and a good 
consiien:-: Heii ~ . :■: vi:i on: w.;::iv F 
Seam:.::. win: r:--:k "s i ::. . wi:i Lim. Tht nei: iav - 
..-. Matinic( :"_.: Meeting. :--.". 

meeting at ""--.'_:.:'-. ~ \.y r _ I L;,i :■: wars :ie:r. "_::\>~ 
^mMIv sTi'iri*:. Xer: —: wen: :; ■-. ■.;';.;■;- .."..:. Ea.: !!:•.-•:■" 
Hills, a little meeting that had much run down by disunity 
among themselves. i his was >orious, suffering time with 

us. The I age, where we had a pretty good 

meeting, whicl I'tc satisfaction. Thence we went to 

. T ::::io; notice having : *en given, i 

I expected a fine meeting, where there m many good 

folks, but was sadly disappointed, for my mind was dipped into 
sense many in that place had attained to the knowledge 

of the I as tc know it, when they felt it, but were not 

sne ugh concerned bo fare in the life and spirit of it They had 



JOSEPH HOAG. 13 

settled on their beds of ease, and were disposed to stretch on 
their couches of ivory. I had to come to plain work, and 
sound an alarm among them. I was told after meeting, by a 
Minister, who was there, that a little before, he had to deliver 
the same testimony, almost word for word, at that place. So 
I found I was not alone. We returned to Gideon Seaman's to 
lodge, in company with Fry and Anna Willis, who had been 
with us for several days. In the evening, several Friends came 
in to see us, we being about to depart next day. While to- 
gether, one Friend remarked, they were all glad of my visit, and 
believed it was right ; that I might return not only with peace 
of mind, but with the satisfactinn that I was well accepted by 
Friends. This gave great relief to my mind, for it gave reason 
to hope that the old prejudices were now removed. The next 
day (I think) we set forward for New York, in order to reach 
their Monthly Meeting, and got in timely. Here my compan- 
ion received a letter, informing -that his son, with whom he left 
his business, was taken deranged, yet he kept with me until we 
reached Amawalk ; he then went home, and I crossed the 
Hudson river, where I spent the remaining part of the winter, 
travelling without any steady companion. I continued diligent 
and seldom missed attending a meeting a day, and sometimes 
two, until I got to Coeyman's, where I was taken sick with a 
severe cold, occasioned by hard traveling and much exposure, 
which stopped me for several days. After my recovery, I went 
pretty direct home, found my family well, to my great comfort 
and their joy, after being absent, I think, over five months. 

I had thought to omit the following event, but an uneasy 
feeling pervading my mind, therefore I record it. Near the 
close of the above stated visit while at Smith's Clove meeting, 
the last I expected to attend in this vicinity, except one in 
course next day, near the close of the meeting, it came over 
my mind with weight, to appoint three more meetings before I 
left. I exclaimed in my mind, " I cannot for I have been five 
months from home, spring's work is coming on, and I am in 
low circumstances, and must go home." So I broke up the 



74 TONAL OF 

meeting; a Friend came to me at the door and expressed that 
his feelings were such that he wanted me to have three more 
meetings, and named the places. I replied short. I have set 
mv face homeward. I do not intend to turn to the right or left, 
feeling determined that home I would go. I had not rode far 
before my horse on a brisk trot, fell through the frost : he 
threw me over his head with force ; I dropped on my head. 
A Friend riding behind said, he heard my neck snap like a 
drv stick, and that I arose on my feet with a smile, but fell 
back on the ground. I knew nothing until I found myself 
staved up. sitting on the ground, feeling as though I had awoke 
out of sleep ; but soon felt such sharp pain in my neck and 
head that it seemed almost insupportable. I was taken by 
short stages to the Friend's house, where the meeting was held 
that I expected to attend, which I think was the next day. I 
kept my bed mostly, until meeting time next day. my neck 
beino- much swollen, with a hard rin^ round it. which felt 
more like a bone than flesh, and looked nes I A. so that 

mv case was thought dangerous. But through Divine m 
I had a number of hours for reflection in which my feelii gs 
were solemn. "When meeting time came. I was placed on a 
bed in the room where the meeting was held, it being my de- 
sire. In the early part of the meeting a voice spoke to me as 
intelligibly as ever I heard a vocal sound, saying; "if thou 
wilt r ^o back and have the three meeting-. 1. the Lord, who 
have wounded thee, and stopped thee in thy career, will ena- 
ble to perform all I require of thee. And this mall be 
an evidence to thee that I. the Lord, sjfeak to thee: thou shalt 
be enabled to bear a testimony for me in this meeting.'' Un- 
der the impressions of this voice my mind was brought into a 
calm, and it appeared to my view hew it was and why it was 
that I was brought into this situation : and also that it was 
offensive to the Almighty and dangerous for man. who knew 
the Lord's will, stubbornly to disobey. My mind was serious- 
ly humbled, mv spirit contrite before the Lord, and I was glad 
d the smile of forgiving mercy oi made 



.7 0SEPU 110 AG. 



willing to give up all to Lis disposal. Towards the close of the 
meeting, with the help of my companion, unexpected to my 
friends, I rose on my feet, and was enabled, I believe, to bear 
an acceptable testimony to my Friends, and felt great peace of 
mind for the obedience, my pains also were much mitigated. 

At the close of the meeting I called a Friend to me, agreea- 
bly to the opening of Light on my mind, and desired him to 
go to the nearest place, and give notice of a meeting for the next 
day, and see that word was sent to the other two places, one in 
the day and the other in the evening. He answered me ; " I 
have not faith to believe thou cans' t possibly do it." I answer- 
ed I have faith enough for both of us ; the meetings must be ap- 
pointed." He went, and did accordingly. Next day I rode 
(I think), twelve miles, reached the place in good season, and 
had a satisfactory meeting. Xext day and evening, attended the 
other two, much to the relief of my mind ; but had to endure 
considerable pain, all which I bore with cheerfulness, seeing I 
brought it on myself. I much desire that when my children 
read these lines they may pause a little and behold the tender 
mercies of Jehovah, when under the chastening rod, to spare 
life even when in theiaws of death ; and when rio'htly sought 
unto, equally tender to forgive, heal, and give ability to do all 
He requires of us ; richly rewarding the obedient with heavenly 
peace for doing their duty, which they could not do without 
this holy help. Adored forever be His holy name ! for He is 
worthy thereof. Dear children, let the first be a warning and 
the latter an encouragement to faithfulness of duty, through 
Your generation. 



CHAPTER III. 

Having- brought my account thus far, I go back to the time of 
our becoming thoughtful of having a Preparative meeting. This 
also met with strong opposition, some members openly declared 
against it, that discipline always promoted contention, and did 
more hurt than good ; which backened the work for a while, 
until Friends abroad grew uneasy ; consequently the opposition 
ceased. But one member told me if we obtained meetings for 
discipline I should never live to see the day that Friends would 
live peaceably and happy together ; notwithstanding, we went 
forward and obtained a Preparative meeting, and affairs went 
along pretty smoothly for a few years. These same opposers 
came forward in our meetings for business, and affected to be 
well satisfied with order, at the same time taking much pains 
to ingratiate themselves into the esteem of Friends abroad, un- 
til they thought they had got strong enough, then they 
broke out and endeavored to destroy the influence and credit 
of every faithful honest friend, who dared to oppose them. 
This gave Friends abundance of trouble for about twenty years, 
until the death of a member who said it should be so. Some 
of his aids soon followed him, since which, that spirit has much 
subsided amongst us, and we are at peace in doing church busi- 
ness. 

I now leave this subject (as I shall in the course of the nar- 
rative have recourse to some of the events which transpired 
during that time,) and turn my attention to the labors of my- 
self and bosom companion. We being placed in a new coun- 
try, which was filling up with people of every society, or nearly 
so, in our land; the priests not being anxious to crowd in un- 



Joseph HOAi;. 77 

til some more favorable prospect of pecuniary advantages could 
be obtained, the people were thus left destitute of preachers, so 
that there was great openness. We often felt our minds drawn 
to have meetings amongst them ; the Lord blessed our labors, 
many became convinced and joined our Society. A number of 
these are faithful members to the present day. This increase, 
with young Friends moving in, soon caused meetings to be 
settled at Peru, Grand Isle and Lincoln, all which soon became 
Preparative Meetings. This relation may show you my chil- 
dren, how the Lord blesses the labors of the faithful to their en- 
couragement and comfort, and to the praise of His ever adora- 
ble name. We found it our duty when at home to be faithful 
in attending our meetings, so that the two first years we used 
to walk over four miles, twice a week, spring, summer and fall : 
In winter I used my oxen for a team, taking all our family with 
us. Starting about sun-rise, we could get to meeting seasona- 
bly, and home about sun-set. When I got able to buy and 
keep a horse for your mother to ride, I felt rich. Oh ! dear 
children, I want, if any, or all of you, should arrive at easy cir- 
cumstances, that you remember whence you have risen, and 
always let a thankful and humble mind be your inner gar- 
ment, that the blessing of the dew of heaven may rest upon 
you. Friends got along in the main, pretty well, until we got 
several settled meetings, and others began, when we thought it 
time to have a Monthly Meeting of our own ; we made a re- 
quest, and obtained it, with Dauby added. 

Having lived here from about the age of twenty-eight to 
thirty-eight years, and meetings thus far settled in order, and 
my family as comfortably situated as the circumstances of a 
new country would admit, my estate being nearly clear of debt, 
I found my mind impressed from day to-day with a prospect 
of paying a religious visit to the inhabitants of Nova Scotia, 
and the adjoining British Provinces, and to Friends with others, 
generally in New England. After considering the importance 
of the subject for several months, the Lord gave me to see 
clearly that the time was come to inform Friends of my con- 



V B - REAL OF 

cern. which I com" 1 with . flic next M sting, un- 

der a feeling sense :: the greatness : rtaking. Th€ 

tookuj the subject and appoint el i mmitee tc :o:> 
sidei the mattei and report nby Frk k being on 

the committee. >n€ >f whom having much inflaen -own 

meeting, drew the line at once that I should not go unless I 
would give np all my pros] ::~ >n British grc ind This, I 
could not, and dared not do, so they kept it along •;-." 
year without giving a decided report. At length the concern 
ne, as though it had L:":: i : ;. : :: this I informed the 
meeting. It seemc 1 to shock the Friends who Lad he! '.:. ;i 
the "business dropped here. I felt n m : i ; : : if foi more than 
" year, being quite easy; but those 7^:;: ..".-. whe held bact 
much uneasy the whole time. 

"When I roenedmy prospect igain, in the year 1800, the 
meeting gave me a c^::i::;- ;:: nity; the 

Quarterly Meeting endorsed h% and it appears by the minutes 
I kept, that I took a solemn leave :: my n the fifth :: 

Eh; 1801, and traveled me hundred miles within the 
verge of our ot y Meeting; having had twelve meetings 

during the time, mostly amongst those not of [>ur Society, 

;re there appeared much openness. 

TVhen this - plished, the Friend who was 

with me returned home, and I went : Danby to fall in 
my other company, arriving in time to be at their first day 
meeting, which was an exercising >nc : but flu 
of Holy help I mabled tc dear my mind be ".: sc 

states brought before me, sc astc feel well relieved 

From here we set :::~ard for Richmond; crossing the 
Green Mountains, we reach ^, the 

26th of the month, and bad a meeting there m the 27th, 

leej suffering was mylot; 
-: rfoi a while; it appeared tc be much ;; a barren p] 
way. 

Fi >m here we went to Orange, a small meeting, th: 
notice giv en : or coming, a nu : their nc 



JOSEPH HO AG. 7 ( J 

In this meeting my mind was bowed, and brought into a re- 
newed sense of the dependent state in which the human family 
stood, not able to help themselves, nor to help others without 
Divine aid and support; therefore the Lord only is to be 
looked unto, and waited for, who was pleased, at this meeting, 
to cause His holy presence to be felt amongst us, to the ten- 
dering and encouraging of some minds. After meeting, we 
rode until in the evening. The day following, there fell a 
heavy rain with hail. This made me thoughtful of my health, 
but finding Uxbridge Monthly meeting to come the next day, 
I felt most easy to go forward. Though the storm was severe, 
I took no cold, and arrived in season to attend that meeting, 
held on the thirtieth of first month, at which I found it painful 
to be baptized for the dead, who were wrapped up in a worldly 
spirit, and buried deep in the earth; who called self-confidence 
righteousness, and have made it a bed, or couch of ivory to 
stretch upon. 

I had to arise under the weight of the subject, bear a faith- 
ful testimony against such Babels, and sound an alarm to those 
who were at ease in Zion. My mind was relieved and com- 
forted in feeling the arm of Israel's Shepherd, to be under- 
neath, and strong in the time of battle ; blessed be His holy 
name ! The meeting for business was exercising ; that which 
glorified Israel and comforted Jacob, appeared very low, and 
suffering appeared to be the bitter meat of the upright in heart. 
Near the close of the business I was enabled to clear my mind 
so as to feel easy. 

The day following we traveled to Leicester, attended their 
meeting on first-day, in which painful travail and searching of 
heart was my lot ; blessed be the Lord whose arm was under- 
neath ! He gave strength to bear the testimony He required, 
to the peace of my mind, and I hope to the praise of His holy 
name. We went next to Bolton and attended their Monthly 
Meeting, held the 2d day of 2d month. Here the Holy One 
was graciously pleased to be near His people and feed His 



80 JOURNAL or 

flock, to the refreshing of His heritage ; blessed be His name ! 
may Israel now say, for His mercy endureth forever ! 

On the third we lay by and rested : the fourth had a meet- 
ing at Northbridge, and on the fifth day of the week, had one 
at Mendon. This appeared to be an old meeting nearlv ran 
down. On sixth day we were again at T7xbridg:e Meeting:. On 
seventh day we had a meeting at Douglas. The first of the 
week and eighth of the month we attended a meeting at Smith- 
field, called Winsocket. At this place the gospel flowed freely : 
it was a good, comfortable meeting to ns. 

After proceeding thus far, I felt a fell stop ; but after several 
hours of serious musing, my way opened clear to attend a 
Quarterly Meeting for the Province of Maine. I informed 
Friends of my prospect ; they soon furnished me with a com- 
panion. The next day Nicholas Battey and I pursued our 
journey, having to ride one hundred and forty miles as soon as 
we could well perform it. On our way. a number of miles be- 
fore we got where the Quarterly Meeting was to be held, we 
came to a small settlement of Friends near night, who held a 
meeting. It came into mv mind that we could have a 
meeting there early next morning, and reach the Quarter. 
Wie being at the house where they held their meetincr. I 
opened my prospect to the man : he answered me short, and 
left the room, but soon returned. I resumed the subject, he 
answered as before, and left the room again. This so affected 
my feeling-s that I went into another room and lay down. 
My companion then took hold of the subject and obtained lib- 
erty for the appointment. ^Ve got an active young man to 
give notice that evening. In the morning we had a larcre 
gathering and a solid favored time, so much so, that the Friend 
acknowledged the meeting to be right, and that his objection 
was, he thought neither of us looked as though we could 
preach, and he did not want the people to be disappointed ; 
but he would never do so again, so we parted. TVe rode that 
day hard, and the next day fifteen miles, before meeting : it 
being a select one, and gathered when we arrived, and my 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 



companion a private member, I had to go in where there was 
not one face that I ever saw before. There appeared the most 
general gravity and exact uniformity in dress and deportment 
that I ever noticed. Oh ! I exclaimed in my mind, what a fine 
body of solid Friends here is. 

It was not long before all turned dark and painful. I said in 
myself, what does this mean ? It came forcibly into my mind, 
that when the Sons of God met together, Satan came also ; 
and his first work was, (as fast as he was suffered to do it), to 
get them all by the ears, and quarreling, which was the case 
with this fine looking people, and that I had to tell them how 
they appeared. Solemn w T ere my feelings, and weighty the 
subject upon me. After sitting one hour, feeling the well- 
spring of gospel life forcibly, I rose with these words : " Friends, 
I have never learned any other rule to preach, or speak by in 
the assemblies, but feeling," and proceeded, as matter and 
words flowed, without turning* to the right or left. It was a 
heart-aching time to me, for I had to tell them plainly that the 
accusing spirit had got in, and there were those who charged 
others who were innocent, with that which they stood in them- 
selves. I had to go largely into the subject in an impressive 
way, and closed with these words : " Friends, you know, I do 
not, though I believe there is cause for this ; let the subject 
rest on your minds, for if it has not already appeared, the old 
serpent lies at your doors ; his crooked tail is at the steps of 
them, and it is time for you to be on your guard." Many 
heads hung down. They soon proceeded to business, nothing 
was discovered from their accounts, yet I felt a solemn, peace- 
ful quiet, to cover my mind. The meeting for worship and 
discipline was held the next day; it was large and favored. 
The business was transacted lively and harmoniously. There 
was a woman Friend in attendance, from another Quarterly 
Meeting, who had a good minute, giving her liberty to visit the 
meetings of this Quarter, and a number had been appointe'd. 
There was also a man- Friend of this Quarter, who with the 
unity of his Friends had appointed several meetings ; one of 



b2 JOURNAL OF 

their appointments was at the same place and time. The man 
preached first, the woman followed. Nothing appeared in their 
testimonies to clash ; but as soon as meeting closed, the woman 
arose and desired the select members to stop. She then testi- 
fied that the man Friend was a false minister and had preached 
false doctrine that day. The man being quick and nervous, it 
came to sharp words. The other members ordered them to 
stop. They consulted together and told them their mind was 
that each of them should attend the meetings they had already 
appointed, and appoint no more until after the Quarterly 
Meeting, which was to be in a few days. They would then at- 
tend to it, and give their judgment on the subject. These oc- 
currences took place but a few days previous to the Quarterly 
Meeting, and were unknown to me, until after I had attended 
a neighboring Quarterly Meeting. 

After this Quarterly Meeting we rode several miles towards 
the other Quarter, and found this woman and husband, (he be- 
ing her company), at the house where we proposed to lodge. 
She was on a bed, groaning and making much ado. The man 
was more sociable, asking questions about Friends and their 
ways in my country. At length, it came into my mind pleas- 
antly to remark ; there was one thing we did not approve of, 
which is, one minister's running down another ; little thinking 
how suitably it applied. It stopped any further inquiries. 

The next day we rode forty miles through snow banks and 
mud. I attended the Select Meeting of that Quarter and found 
it no better. My labors were nearly of the same nature, so 
that after meeting I much doubted the possibility of my feel- 
ings being right. My mind was bowed under the reflection, 
earnestly craving that I might be preserved aright. Next 
came on the meetings for worship and discipline, where I soon 
felt that light and gospel life was in dominion. I rose in the 
early part of the meeting, feeling my mind furnished with good 
matter ; strength and utterance were given ; the doctrines of 
the Gospel flowed freely, and went forth in the light of Gospel 
life. The meeting closed under a sweet calm. This time of 



JOSEPH HOAG. 83 

favor a little revived my drooping mind ; but short was the re- 
past ; for, when business came on, such feelings arrested my 
mind, and such conduct was presented to my view that I knew 
not what to think. When I looked at them with my outward 
eyes, seeing their comely appearance, I said, "these things 
cannot be." These thoughts were followed with distress. 
When I looked with an inward eye it was clear and plain, as 
though I knew it. I waded in this manner for some hours ; 
and to add to my trials, the woman who had given dissatisfac- 
tion within the other Quarter, was at this meeting, and came 
into the men's room, walked into the gallery, and thus ad- 
dressed the meeting : " My mind has been pained, and I felt a 
necessity to come in here ; for, notwithstanding what was said 
in the foregoing meeting, the people were not fed, neither 
were the mourners comforted ; I am come to comfort them, 
and give the children some bread. " She detained the meeting 
sometime, but this did not take the load off my mind. After 
the rise of the meeting two Elders came to me and questioned 
me as to what I thought of that woman's visit to their meeting. 
I told them I did not come there to meddle with their Minis- 
ters ; that was the Elders business; but, "it I have said or 
done anything that hurt your right feelings. I hope you will 
treat me as I should expect my friends to do were I at home.'' 
They paused a little, and one, with a smile said, " we have 
nothing for thee on that ground, for thou hast been highly fa- 
vored, and rejoiced the hearts of thy bretheren to-day. This 
interview seemed a little to relieve my mind. 

There being some time between this and Bedford Quarter, I 
visited Seabrook, Dover, Almsbeny, Turkey-Hill, Meaderbor- 
ough, and returned to Seabrook Monthly Meeting, and a meet- 
ing for discipline at Dover. When I came into their meetings 
for business my former burden came renewedly upon me, and I 
endeavored to clear my mind from place to place, as I had 
done in the smaller meetings I visited. 

Having got through these parts, looking over my labors I 
greatly feared I was wrong. The enemy took the advantage 



84 JOURNAL OF 

and brought a dark cloud over me so that I believed all was 
wrong : that I had done hurt, wounded the innocent, and was 
bringing reproach on my Friends at home. I concluded to tell 
Friends my prospect had closed up, and I felt best to go home. 
I had slept but little for two nights ; the last, scarcely at all. 
I got up in the morning with a resolution to return home. I 
had not yet mentioned it, as I was waiting for the Friends who 
were with me, to go away, thinking then to get on my 
horse and go home. "While thus musing, in stepped Joseph 
Header, an Elder, and asked me to go into another room. He 
then said, "I parted with thee, not expecting to see thee again; 
but after riding several miles my mind was weightily arrested 
and impressed with a sense that thou wast sinking under dis- 
couragements, thinking that things could not be as they had 
appeared to thee. Thou mayest be assured that it is all so, 
thou hast not been mistaken in one instance where I have 
been with thee, as I have heard of." This interview so re- 
lieved my mind as to renew my courage to pursue my journey. 
But entering into a solemn consideration and enquiry, why it 
was, if all was right, that I was left to fall into such distress, 
and was led to see in the clear light of the Lord, that I had 
reasoned with flesh and blood, and had not gone to Him for 
counsel and knowledge ; thereby leaving the way open for the 
old serpent to present his false and deceiving representations to 
my mind. It was an humbling, contriting season to me, and I 
was made willing to enter into renewed covenant, let what 
would come, if the Lord would be my guide and helper, I 
would serve Him faithfully. Blessed be the adorable goodness 
of the Most High God ! 

After these occurrences I fell in with a Friend who told me 
he was at the first Select meeting where the two Ministers 
were who had disagreed, and that I brought to view the alter- 
cation that passed between them, nearly word for word — and 
showed so clearly where the wrong was, that Friends there 
were all satisfied. They acquitted the man Friend, and direct- 
ed the woman to go home, but she followed me to the next 



JOSEPH HO AG. 85 

Quarter to try what she could do there ; but, failing of suc- 
cess, she went home. I shall have cause to mention her here- 
after. In looking over the marvellous and tender care of the 
Most High, in bringing about my relief in the way he did, 
my mind was bowed in gratitude, thanksgiving and praise to 
the Great Shepherd of Israel. I took fresh courage and pur- 
sued my prospect cheerfully. 

The next meeting I attended was at Sandwich, the 18th of 
3d month. There, being taken sick with a heavy cold, and 
the weather being inclement, I lay by until first day, and at- 
tended that meeting again. From thence, rode to Sandwich, 
Barnstable county, Massachusetts, and attended their Select 
Preparative Meeting on the 27th, sensibly feeling the want of 
true Gospel love and unity, which gave me close exercise. But 
I relieved my mind amongst them, and some of them confessed 
after meeting, there was just cause for my feelings. 

From this place I rode to New Bedford to attend the Quar- 
terly Meeting, and was taken to the house of "William Roach, 
where I was affectionately received. Next day I attended the 
Select Quarter, and found myself embodied with a number of 
sound-headed, solid Friends. Notwithstanding it appeared so, 
my mind was strongly impressed there was a disease amongst 
them, and there were some ailing who were not sensible of it, 
but believed themselves well, while the mortal disease was in- 
creasing on them ; and that such were like those in a slow con- 
sumption, exposed to flattering hopes, until dissolution closed 
the scene ; then all would be over. I was led to call their at- 
tention solemnly to this subject, and whom to call on individu- 
ally, to know what, and where the disease was, and what would 
be the remedy. After meeting, some Friends remarked, thev 
believed there was a cause for my feelings, and told me where 
they applied it. But, as it proved, those who applied it to 
others were the very ones to whom it applied. In this way, 
the poor servant's labor is often handled, much to the hurt of 
those to whom it applies, by depriving themselves of the bless- 
ing of improvement, and rendering the labor lost. 



I (JRNAL )1 

The day following, tlie m ml ig worship and diseh 
was held Th: presence of the Shepherd : Israel, felt t. 

own this meeting; the business was conducted m harmony. 
Near the dose thereof my waj >] med dearly, to proceed to 
Nantucket^ at the wind not 3ing favorable, had :: lay by 
on seventh day. We attended their meeting on first lay; it 
was -".-_: atai t'avored. Im: wiad :7:77a I unfavorable until 
3rd <Jay, the aim when we set sail, about seven in the morn- 
ing, for Nantucket, and arrived there abont one in the an 
The 1st of the 4th month, I attended then ih Meeting 

for the northern district. 2d of 4th month an 5 th : th a we sk 
I attended the old me i::_. >n sixth lay. The 4th 
of the month, I had an appoint 1 meeting. 1st day, the 5th, 
attended the northern meeting in the forenoon, and the old 
meeting m the at: 77: :■::. In ah these m retinas. I tmnb Eb'ey 
help to bear np my mind, in the :-:: :■: : 3S that : ee :n me, 
and ability was given to clear my min a. sc as to fee 
leave for this time. 2d d^y morning, I mt : 

Bedford, where we arrived in abont -even hours, 
sea-sick on the passage. : 1 lay morning, the 7th : 4th month, 
I set forward for the Y I ' g : it being some time a] 
I employed my time in visiting th stings in that : the 

country. I was conducted to M 1 lence. 

Here 1 was kindly received; he and his t wit 

the Quarterly Meeting, and introduced m to i Fi 
house; but being h 3ssed in coarse cloth, ring rustic 

;." -• a v. a a I - aas aeohv received and coolly All this 

I iti rmt miad. it bema me a a :_h for me. Ittt I 7. Tii I :. 7 
a 7 : Her ami Tmehmbt nay hers:- as he mi-mei: the m-. a etee- 
rare :otmi net s] mb tar himseb — I Lai to :-are for hira. When 
7 777.777. :7.;, I :: :L my horse a::d walked 7 the meet- 
ing he 7 e. I saw a house that looked right, and meeting 
v.;-77_ maa. I asbei Limit aFb77:i "777- i there : h:- :e; 
yes. I asked Lim if he w;Yi take my mrse there. mma_ hieei 
iireetims Low he mania le red. aa :i to teii me Friend, it he 
w 77 1 do s 7 that utter ametma I wonbl 7 t - 



JOSEPH HO AG, 8* 

dine. The young man, with a smile, complied with my request. 
When I came there, I found a good home for my horse, and a 
kind reception for myself, where I made my home while in 
these parts. I attended the Select Meeting at East Greenwich 
the 8th, the meeting for worship and discipline the 9th. At 
this meeting my mind was much grieved, and heart pained, with 
a lenothv testimony borne by one of their own members, who 
ran into repeated repetitions, which hurt the meeting, and 
closed my way. The business went on dull. I sat nearly silent 
through these three meetings, but had one appointed at even- 
ing, in the same house, which was pretty large, and acknowl- 
edged to be a solid favored meeting. Then I had a meeting 
at Wickford. 1st day, the 12th, attended South Kingston; 
the 13th had a meeting at Richmond ; the 14th at South King- 
ston, upper house; loth at Westerly; 16th at Hopkinton ; 
17th at Foster ; 18th at Scituate ; 19th at Elisha Stears, Smith- 
field ; the 20th was at the lower meeting, Smithfield ; the 21st 
I reached Providence, and was silent ; the 22nd at Cranstone ; 
the 23d at Providence ao;ain ; way opened to relieve my mind, 
Gospel doctrines flowed freely. The 24th was at Cumber- 
land ; 25th was at Pautuxet ; the 26th and first of the week at 
Providence, and silent the second time. The 27th, being much 
fatigued and not well, I had no meeting. After this I had 
meetings at Somerset, Rehoboth, and Taunton. 5th month 
1st, I had a meeting at Freetown; the 2d and 7th of the week 
at Fall River, which was a large, good meeting. The 3d and 
1st of the week, was at Tiverton, and at Fall River again, in 
the afternoon, at a meeting in the Baptist meeting house. Here, 
utterance and ability were given fully to clear my mind, so that 
I felt relieved and clear of the place, and sweet peace to be the 
reward. The 4th of the month and 2d of the week, I was at 
Swansey Monthly Meeting, and found myself among some solid 
Friends ; but all things not well. I had to labor plain amongst 
them. The 5th had no meeting: the 6th had a meetino; at 
Little Compton ; the 7th at Accoakset, and in the afternoon at 
Centre ; the 8th was at Aponaganset ; the 9th at New Town ; 



88 JOURNAL OF 

the 10th at Freetown again, in the morning, and at Bower's 
Shore in the afternoon. The 1 1th I was at the house of Joseph 
Austin at Accushnet ; the 12th I had a large, crowded meeting 
at this place ; the presence of Divine Power was felt to be over 
all. After delivering a testimony, in which I thought I feeling- 
ly cleared my mind, I had sat but a minute or two before it opened 
as clearly to my mind, as the large plain print of a book, so 
that there was no doubt remaining, and that I must deliver, a 
message in that meeting, without delay. I rose on my feet, I 
think, with these words : " Friends, I rise on my feet, to deliver 
a message, and I w r ant you individually to turn your attention 
to your own feelings, for, if you do, doubtless the one to whom 
it belongs, will feel the force and evidence of it. It has ap- 
peared as plain to my view, as a plain printed book, so that I 
have neither doubt nor scruple, that there is one in this meet- 
ing, who has lived a good moral life, been a good companion, 
a good parent, a good neighbor, and an honest dealer, but has set- 
tled down at ease, thinking this was enough ; yet thou hast not 
made thy peace with thy God, and while this is wanting, all 
that is essential is wanting ; thou hast time to make thy peace 
with thy God, and not a moment to spare, for thy time is very 
short ; thou must go hence to be seen of men no more. ! 
let not sleep rest on thine eyes, nor slumber upon thine eyelids, 
until this work is done ; for thou shalt have no time on a lan- 
guishing bed ; for when thy change comes — in the language of 
the apostle — it shall be in an instant, at the twinkling of an 
eye ; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it." I sat down, 
and was favored to feel that the power of the Almighty Jeho- 
vah reigned over all. The meeting closed under great solem- 
nity. The 13th I was at Long Plain; here had been a great 
division amongst Friends, which appeared to be wearing off 
and improving, but not altogether healed. There was need of 
Friends keeping humble and watchful, which I had to put them 
in mind of. The 14th I returned to New Bedford, thence to 
Sandwich on the 1 7th, and 1st of the w r eek, where I met with 
my intended companion for Nova Scotia, Joseph Wing, a pleas- 



JOSEPH liOAG. 89 

a&t, agreeable man. The 18th was at Yarmouth, and 19th at 
Falmouth. At all the places I have mentioned, I had meet- 
ings ; but the state of them and my exercises in them were so 
similar that I thought it would not be edifying or instructive, 
to go into particulars ; yet am willing that it should be seen 
I did not idle away my time. 

From Falmouth I Went to Nantucket, attended the north 
meeting once, and the old meeting twice. Here I was led into 
close labor, and felt concerned to sit in some families. I called 
on the Elders and opened my prospect to them. After sitting 
for some time in stillness, one of them said I had opened my 
prospect so plainly, that he thought they clearly understood 
me, and that the business could be accommodated. They all 
expressed their unity, and named a Friend of each meeting, to 
be my company, who knew their own members, and the class 
I had pointed out. I entered -into this work in fear, and deep 
searching of heart, and found Divine Wisdom and Holy help 
^mply sufficient in every needful time. Good is the Lord to 
His servants who are devoted to Him ! In five families out of 
thirty, I had to proclaim the near approach of death, and to 
warn them to prepare for the solemn change — a humblino- time 
to me. I did not hear anything particular from these labors in 
four or five years, when I fell in with a widow, at Hudson, who 
informed me she was one of the visited ; that she had a hus- 
band, three sons, and two daughters, all in good health, about 
her at that time, and that in six months from that time, she 
buried her husband and two sons ; and that there was not one 
house, where I was led in that way, but one or more died within 
nine months, and some within a short time. 

After clearing my mind in these parts, I w r ent to Rhode Is- 
land and attended their Monthly Meeting, where I had satisfac- 
tory sendee to my own mind and my Friends. On 5th day, I 
had a meeting at Portsmouth, and 6th day on Conanicut Island, 
and returned to Newport, and on 1st day attended both fore 
and afternoon meetings. On 2d day I went to Hopkinton, and 
had a favored meeting. From here we went over into Connec- 
6 



90 JOURNAL OF 

ticut, liaci a meeting at William Browning's, and next clay had 
one at John Foster's, and the day following had another at 
Samuel Browning's. These three last places were in Stoning- 
ton, Connecticut. I think it was in this little town, in the first 
meeting, there came in so few, that I felt disappointed. In 
musing upon it, it came into my mind that Friends had not 
given general notice as I requested, and there was time for 
another appointment in the afternoon. This language crossed 
my mind, " Tell them how thou feelest — send them out again, 
and thou wilt get a meeting." It appeared so singular, that I 
suppressed my feelings, and suffered the meeting through, to 
but little satisfaction, feeling much depressed with poverty of 
spirit the remainder of the day. The next meeting I found it 
so again — sat the meeting through with but little service, and 
at the close of it I informed Friends how it appeared to me, 
what my feelings were, and desired them to go out and give 
notice faithfully, for a meeting at the 4th hour at that house. 
When the time came, a large body of people were gathered, 
and through the tender mercies of Israel's God, we had a fine, 
favored meeting. I felt much better, and went on cheerfully, 
finding my good Master's word to be Truth, as I ever had done. 
I came to the next meeting, and found it in the same situation. 
I sat the meeting through, and had but little to hand out to 
them. At the close, I informed them of my feelings, and de- 
sired them to make a second trial for a meeting there, the 4th 
hour that afternoon, When the hour came, I thought it was a 
larger gathering than there was the day before. It was a solid 
favored time ; Truth arose into dominion. I felt comforted in 
having given up to the openings of Truth, and that I had left 
a good lesson for them to think of. 

I returned to East Greenwich, attended their meeting on 1st 
day, the Yth of 6th month, and had a meeting at the meeting 
house in the town, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. In both these 
meetings I was enabled to deal plainly, and felt ample satisfac- 
tion in so doing. On the 8th attended the Monthly Meeting 
at this place, and though the business was conducted regularly, 



JOSEPH I (0 AG. 9] 

the want of concern to live up to our ancient and present prin- 
ciples, was too prevalent, which caused deep exercise, and pain- 
ful labor — the aged buried in the earth, the young on the wings 
of the air, embracing the customs of the world in dress and 
address, which was so prevalent in these parts, that many of 
the young people could hardly be distinguished from the fash- 
ionable world — so that my soul was many times clothed with 
mourning, as with a mantle. I often felt the necessity to labor 
plainly, and call their attention to first principles, showing them 
the consequences of their departure. This seemed to be my 
general labor amongst Friends, and though my lot was painful, 
yet bountifully good was the Most High, in giving confidence, 
strength, and utterance, and causing me to feel His holy arm 
underneath in my getting along. Blessed, forever, be His holy 
name ! 

On the 9th of the month, I had a meeting at a house owned by 
Friends, where Friends lived, which was to good satisfaction, 
On the 11th I had a meeting four or five miles south of this 
, place. From here, I went to attend Rhode Island Yearly Meet- 
ing, and attended the several sittings of it, which were large, 
and in general, favored with the presence of the Great Head of 
the Church, to the comfort of many. The business was con- 
ducted with much condescension. In the main, I was favored to 
feel my mind much released from public labor, though not al- 
together. At this meeting, we had the company of John Hall, 
a Minister from Old England, and Stephen Grellett, his com- 
panion, a Minister from Philadelphia ; also, many of the Select 
members, from all the Quarters, where my mind had been so 
tried. Stephen addressed them on the same subjects that I 
had, not only the same words, but whole sentences as I deliv- 
ered them, in their meetings at home. His communication 
was strengthening, confirming, and relieving to my mind. The 
Select Meeting met several times, and after Stephen had cleared 
his mind, John Hall, at a subsequent sitting took up the sub- 
ject at large, and spoke in that authority and clearness, that 
the heads of a number fell, and rose no more with equal con- 



JOURNAL OF 

Science, through the remainder of the Yearly Meeting, much 

to the joy of the upright in heart, and their admiration of the 
Lord's goodness, in confirming His people and comforting His 
sorrowful ones. 

After Yearly Meeting, having got somewhat acquainted with 
Ann Miflin and Mary Gilbert, from Philadelphia, whose com- 
pany we had had, and finding my companion not ready, and 
the vessel not prepared, I was invited by these women Friends 
to be their company, as they were going to Xantueket. I 
complied therewith, to fill up the time. We went to Fall River, 
where they appointed a meeting — they both being Ministers — 
which was to o-ood satisfaction. Thev had another meeting; at 
the head, of the river, with the Indians ; it was a favored, ten- 
dering time ; the poor creatures appeared very grateful for the 
favor. Oh ! thought I, how many poor creatures there are ? 
up and down in the earth, who would rejoice to have the crumbs 
of Gospel favor, that fall from the Lord's table, while they are 
overlooked, and despised by many of our members. Surely, 
wih not the Lord require it at our hands, and justly turn off 
many of the children of the kingdom, who despise their favors, 
and will gather from the solitary corners of the earth, to sit 
down with the faithful, in the Kingdom of the Lamb. 

They had a meeting at YTestport, and from there they went 
to Aponaganset and had a meeting, and returning to Xew Bed- 
ford, made some tarry there. Then went to Rochester, where, 
I am told, was once a body of faithful Friends, and now but 
one family. Their meeting house is occupied by a set of sep- 
aratists, who went out from Friends. Benjamin Bump was 
their minister, who was disowned for justifying the payment 
of war taxes. There was scarcely anything of the life of pure 
religion to be found among them, and the very form of godli- 
ness was lost. It was a laborious time. Next day they had a 
a meeting at Long Plain, where the dear sisters were enlarged ; 
it was a favored, good meeting, which seemed to revive their 
spirits. In the afternoon they had a meeting at Accushnet, 
the dear women were favored with lively testimonies, which 



JOSEPH HOAG. Or*, 

settled lilce clew on the tender herbs. O, may it rest long. 
The meeting ended well. We then attended New Bedford 
meeting in course. After this, Ann, her companion, and my- 
self, felt drawings to appoint a public meeting at Friends' 
meeting house there, but the packet being ready, we all kept 
our feelings to ourselves. Next morning early, we went on 
board, and sailed about an hour, when the wind shifted directly 
ahead, and held us half a day. At length, the captain con- 
cluded he had a Jonah on board, and he would go back. While 
going back, we got each other's minds, and when we got to 
the wharf, we three stepped off. I turned to the captain, and 
told him he might go to Nantucket — we' should not go with 
him, and I thought the wind would let him sail. In about one 
hour the wind was fair, they hoisted sail, and v/ere out of sight 
before sunset. 

We went to Y\ T illiam Roach's, and opened our prospects. 
They gave notice that evening. The next day we had a pretty 
full meeting. Ann and Mary had good lively testimonies to 
bear. I had not much in that way ; it seemed to be my lot to 
feel with them, and hold up their hands, wdrich I was enabled 
to do in my little measure. That evening the other packet 
came in, and in the morning we went on board ; we had a fair 
wind, fine weather, a good passage, and arrived in season to at- 
tend their first-day meetings. We next attended their Quar- 
terly Meeting, which was large. John Hall, Stephen Grellett, 
and Elizabeth Coggshall, were present; several large, weighty 
testimonies were borne to the everlasting Truth, to the refresh- 
of many, and warning of the careless ones. The business was 
conducted in a solid, harmonious manner. 

My companion not yet coming to me, I had to stay some 
days. Feeling the return of an opening, that had been presen- 
ted to view r several times, which now came before me with 
weight, to appoint a meeting for the people of color and the 
Indian natives on the island, I opened it to Friends, who 
united with it, and took considerable pains to get them to- 
gether. There was a fine body of people collected. I soon 



94 JOURNAL OF 

felt my mind clothed with Gospel love, which flowed to 
that people ; utterance was given in language that was easy 
for them to understand: which flowed freely, accompanied with 
Gospel energy, to the tendering: of many of them to tears. A 
heavenly solemnity was felt to spread over the meeting, clearly 
evidencing, that equal are the mercies of the Lord, to ah the 
children of men. The service closed with prayer and thanks- 
giving to the Lord, for the continuance of His mercies to His 
people. 

Ann and Mary wanted to pay a visit to the people on Mar- 
tha's Vineyard, and desired my company, with which I com- 
plied, as my companion had not yet arrived. The first meet- 
ing was at Old-Town, a dark, hard place ; Gospel communica- 
tion rebounded, like water poured upon a rock, and we were 
glad to make our escape from the place. TVe went to Gay 
Head, and had a large meeting amongst the Indians. Those 
precious women were favored, and the meeting; was quiet, and 
solid, and ended so. The poor things expressed a great deal 
of thankfulness for the visit. We returned to Old-Town ; there 
we parted : they went to Holmes' Hole, and as I did not feel 
clear, I went to the east end of the island, and had a meeting 
with a small tribe of Indians ; after which I felt clear to return 
to Nantucket where I staid till the 14th of the 7th month, 
when the vessel was ready to sail. 

Before leaving, there came a letter from Samuel Rodman to 
"William Macy, informing that not long since, "a Friend near 
sixty years of age, belonging to Accushnet meeting, went to 
the barn near night to milk his cow, a little earlier than usual, 
as it looked likely to rain. While milking he was struck with 
lio-htniuff, and instantly killed. The Friend was at the meeting: 
when Joseph Hoag dropped that singular testimony, and that 
he appeared to be such a person as Joseph described. And now 
Friends are easy and satisfied in regard to Joseph." The 
above is as near as I can remember the contents of the letter on 
that subject. 

The 14th of the 7th month, we set sail for Nova Scotia; 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 95 

were five days on the voyage, owing to contrary winds, fog, 
and poor pilot. When we got into Beaver Harbor, on the 
19th, we had a meeting with the few Friends living there, and 
being first-day, there was more of a gathering than I expected. 
In the course of my testimony, I was led to speak to a single 
state, who felt whole, and thought himself in good standing ; 
who was in good health, and as to the outward, appeared like- 
ly to live for years ; who had not long to live, and was deceived 
in the favorable belief of himself. I was led to call the atten- 
tion home, to a narrow heart search, and a faithful petition to 
the Lord, that He would show how it stood, between Him and 
the souF; saying "the Lord will show thee, and show mercy 
too ; this is the only escape from a disappointment in the end, 
which cannot be recovered." 

From here, we went back into the country, to a new settle- 
ment, and had a large, favored meeting, in a barn, to which a 
tribe of Indians came, and sat very soberly. After meeting, 
they were asked how they liked what was said. One of them 
answered, putting his hand on his breast, "I could not under- 
stand every word, but felt him here. I believe, he is a very 
good man." ! thought I, how many of the wise and learned 
never think to try preaching by that standard. We returned 
back to the Friend's house we first put up at ; we left him well 
but now found him sick with the pleurisy. I had it on my 
mind to have another meeting there, which was readily consen- 
ted to, and the sick Friend chose to lie in the room where the 
meeting was. I had to take up the subject of the woe to them 
who were at ease, and trusted in the mountains of Samaria ; 
showing there was no greater mountain than the Gospel, and 
no greater name than the Truth, for that was over all ; and 
when all this was professed and believed, and their peace not 
made with God, it would disappoint in the end ; and this was 
the woe under the Gospel. After meeting the sick man was 
much broken down, and acknowledged that he saw it was not 
with him as he expected. We left him under great exercise. 
I heard a few weeks after, he was gone ; and, that after passing 



96 JOURNAL OF 

through great and painful exercises, he was favored to come to 
a quiet, resigned state of mind, which was joyful to hear. 

Before I take leave of this place, I feel most easy to remark 
that all three of these meetings were favored ; the Truth was in 
dominion, and the people generally acknowledged its doctrines. 
One thing I mourn for, Friends did not meet together, nor sit 
down in their families ; they were not willing their children 
should go to other meetings, of course ; poor things, were 
growing up, not only in a way that was unprofitable, but unea- 
sy to themselves ; not informed in Friends principles, through 
the neglect of their parents, I was grieved for them ; faithfully 
cleared my mind to the parents, and left them. O ! may the 
Lord remember the dear children, who are so neglected, and 
be a father to them, and gather them into his own enclosure. 

We staid hereabouts until 10 o'clock on first-day, when we 
set sail for St. Johns. Had a quick passage, and made a short 
tarry at this place ; then went up the river about 60 miles, in 
an open boat. Setting out late in the day, and the wind leav- 
ing us, we sat in the boat nearly all night ; being foggy it was 
very uncomfortable, and what made it more uncomfortable, we 
had a noisy ruffian on board. "We landed near the place we 
intended, and hired horses of Hugh Copperthwaite. We rode 
forty miles up the river, and came amongst a people who held 
their meetings some like Friends. They rejected hireling min- 
istry, and held that none ought to preach but those who were 
called upon, and qualified by the spirit of Christ. There were 
three of those meetings, about 12 miles apart. They generally 
ended their meetings with a psalm or hymn. We got amongst 
them the second day's travel, about noon, and had a meeting 
with them at five in the afternoon. There was openness with 
the people to hear and receive the Truth, which flowed freely 
in Gospel authority. They were much broken into tender- 
ness, under a sense of Divine favor. The day following we 
had a meeting about a mile up the river, which was very large, 
and much favored ; it was truly an humbling time. Praised be 
the Most High God ! 



JOSEPH IIOAO. 



After meeting we were called upon to give our opinions on 
women's preaching, being informed that tliey had three women, 
one at each meeting, who preached ; that they were the most 
able Ministers they had, and all the traveling Ministers who 
come along before us had opposed women's preaching. This 
opened the door for us to let them know we approved of wo- 
men's preaching, and had women preachers amongst us, who 
were able Ministers, and to show them our reasons at large 
why we approved of them in that way. This was very satis- 
factory and rejoicing to many of them. We returned to Nich- 
olas Hideouts; in this place we stopped and had a large meet- 
ing — a day of high and renewed favor to ' the people. May 
they be wise and improve it to their comfort ! We went to 
Hugh. Copperthwait's and delivered up his horses ; he would 
take nothing for their sendee.* We had no meeting on 7th 
day ; but on first day two, the first was pretty satisfactory to 
the people ; the latter was a large gathering of several different 
Societies. I was led to show that the law and the ceremonies 
in our day were all of a piece ; that they could not make the 
comers thereunto perfect, as to the conscience, and of course 
left them under the dominion of sin ; that nothing could puri- 
fy the conscience but the law of the spirit of life which made 
free from the law of sin and death. This doctrine offended 
some, who, though they could bring nothing to confute it, yet 
were disturbed by it. Others rejoiced that the subject was so 
clearly opened to their understandings. 

On the 2d day of the week, twelve miles down the river, we 
had a meeting at the house, of one Birdsall, who went from 
Friends ; a number being there of that sort. I had close, exer- 
cising, plain labor among them, and felt much satisfaction in 
being honest to my Lord and good Master. We continued 
down the river to New Brunswick town, and on the 14th, had 
a large meeting in the Methodist house. The people sat sober- 
ly, conducted respectfully, received our visit well, and treated 
us kindly. 

The 16th, first day, we attended two meetings; the first was 



JOURNAL OF 

satisfactory, the last was much, hurt, by my endeavoring to 

evade taking hold of the subject as it opened in my mind. 
After proceeding a little way it all left me and I had to sit 
down in confusion, and remained so until meeting ended, and 
some time after, until the Lord showed me that if I had looked 
to Him for counsel and strength. He would have carried me 
through all He required ; but in that I leaned to my own un- 
derstanding, it was but right that He should chastise me. It 
was an humbling and instructive time. 

The 17th we sailed for Westmoreland, but went up Maccan 
Elver to Xathan Hoag's. and held a meeting there, among a 
thoughtful, enquiring people, mostly Welsh, who appeared 
wilhng to hear and believe the Truth. The day following, we 
had a meeting down the river apiece, which was satisfactory ; 
and the next day. in the Court House near Cumberland Fort. 
There was a large company of mixed people, and it was an ex- 
ercising time. Though some of them acknowledged to the 
Truth, yet there were many others, who. when their sentiments 
were ::: ssed.it seemed to set them on fire: particularly the 
belief that if a man once had grace, he cannot *be lost : let him 
do what he will, he will be brought in at last. This idea is - : 
pleasing to carnal nature, that it seems almost impossible — aor- 
rowfui as it is — to prevail with them to admit the thought, that 
it is possible for them to be wrong. This much closes the way 
for profitable labor in these parts. 

In this :: art :: the country I fell in with the Swedenborgians, 
who tried hard to bring me over to their Relief They kept 
about me for several days. At length one of them asked me 
what reason I could give, why we were not in duty bound to 
believe what that man of God (Swedenborg) wrote, as much as 
to believe the Scriptures, for the prophets said, "Una aaith 
the Lord," and so did he. I considered a little, and i: 
into mv mind to answei ' wms a revelation 

different from the law ;; the Gospel ■ ? his own way 

to reveal the law in a way that man could not counterfeit by 
sio;ns and miracles that were visible to the natural eye : and 



JOSEPH HOAG. 99 

when Jesus Christ came to introduce the Gospel He wrought 
miracles that were as much greater than those of the law, as the 
Gospel was more glorious ; and that we, Quakers, were not go- 
ing to give away revelation so well proved as the Scriptures 
were, for a revelation that had no better foundation than the 
assertion of one man. To this they made no reply, and I got 
rid of them, for which I was truly glad. 

After the last meeting we were invited home by Thomas 
Roach, a Methodist by profession. He lent us horses to ride 
across the country, and a civil old man was our pilot ; they, 
neither of them, would have anything for their services. We 
rode it in one day, dismissed the man and horses, and let him 
return the next day. Here we were detained about a week, 
before we could cross the bav to St. John's Island. It being 
wheat harvest, we went into the field to labor, to save spending 
monev. We earned our living and a dollar over. 

While detained here the enemy poured his floods upon me, 
insinuating that I had no business there ; if I had, I should not 
have been disappointed, and that was not all ; I had no busi- 
ness to leave home, and my family to suffer ; I was deceived, 
and had deceived my Friends ; that to be a deceiver and a 
false teacher was the most wicked of sins ; and I was guilty of 
that sin ; for to destroy the souls of others was worse than to 
destroy their bodies. In this way I was afflicted from day to 
day. When I strove to get those thoughts out of my mind, 
I found it in vain ; and to flee from them, out of my power. 
At length it was presented to me — and it came like the voice 
of a lion — that if I went on as I had done, deceiving the peo- 
ple, a dreadful judgment would come upon me, for God would 
not be mocked. It came so heavy that my stomach failed for 
food or drink, my strength failed every way, and when I 
thought of stopping and going home, the enemy would tell me 
that would not do, for when I got there and told my friends 
how I was deceived they would ever after disregard me, and 
my wife would look coolly upon me. Then I had better be 
dead than alive ; that the best way for me was to slip away and 

LOfC 



]00 JOURNAL OF 

get into some solitary place where I never should be heard 
from. It was in vain for me to plead sincerity, for the Lord 
knew my heart, and that to plead innocence was mocking God, 
for my own feelings told me better. By this time my distress 
was such that I slept but little and ate little, grew weak fast 
and could find no other stay to my mind than in this appeal — 
" I am before thee, Lord ! thou knowest all things, and if things 
are so or not ; to run away I cannot and dishonor thy Holy Name, 
reproach the Truth and thy people, and bring scandal on myself, 
I cannot do it ; I would rather die in this strange land and be 
buried among this strange people. Lord ! if it is any offer- 
ing, here is my life, my body and my soul, in time and eter- 
nity, at thy disposal, for Thou wilt do right. But I pray Thee 
to preserve me from bringing reproach on thy Holy name, or 
on Thy righteous cause." When my mind became stayed 
here, the billows rolled away, the mists passed over, and my 
poor mind was admitted once more into the clear sunshine, to 
rejoice and give thanks to the Lord for His wonderful mercy 
and sustaining Providence in the hour of temptation. 

The 30th of the month and first of the week, we sailed for 
the Island of St. Johns. We were about twelve hours on the 
water ; landed at Charlotte town, and were kindly received by 
John Cambridge and wife, whose house we made our home 
while on the Island. The 1st of 9th month we had a large, 
quiet, good meeting. The Governor and his wife attended ; 
he expressed his satisfaction with the communication. Thus 
we see many will acknowledge and approve of that which they 
are not disposed to practice. We enquired for horses to hire ; 
the Governor hearing of it, offered his: we accepted, and sent 
for them next morning. He had his own riding horse fur- 
nished for me, and said ; " let the Minister ride that horse, he 
will carry him well ; he looked at the saddle and said ; " it is 
so fine I don't know but it will hurt the Minister's feelings ; 
bring the blanket;" had it put on and said; " now he won't 
see how fine it is, and it won't hurt his feelings." I note this> 



JOSEPH 110AC. 101 

as due, to show the kindness of the man, though one of the 
great of the world. 

The 2d of 9th month we rode 25 miles through a wilderness 
of good land to Tryon village, and had a comfortable meeting 
with a body of poor people; thence we rode 12 miles through 
the woods to a settlement, mostly refugees, and had a meeting 
with them. It seemed like encompassing Jericho ; their walls 
were strong. But blessed be the name of the Lord, who was 
pleased to give strength so to blow the Gospel ram's horn, that 
the walls gave way and Truth rose into dominion. Not feeling 
clear, we stopped until first day, the 6th of the month, and had 
another meeting with them, which was large and much favored ; 
the way appeared open, and the minds of the people much 
reached and tendered. The meeting was solemn and ended 
well. From here we put forward 17 miles through a thick wil- 
derness and a poor path, and had two rivers to swim our horses 
across. In the latter, we stood ~a narrow chance of drowning our 
best horse, owing to mud in the bottom, but were favored hap- 
pily to escape and get into Parker's Corner in good season. "Went 
to Farmer Townsend's (who had been formerly a Friend,) and 
had a meeting at his house, the 8th of the month. Here we 
had to wade under deep sufferings ; I had to deal in a plain, 
close, and solemn manner, showing the desolation it produced 
where there was a known departure from the truth, and 
what stumbling-blocks such were to the honest seeker after 
righteousness; but it seemed like- pouring water on a rock. I 
was informed before I left here that a number of years past, 
there came several families of Friends and an approved Minis- 
ter and settled in this place, and held a meeting under the 
care of Friends in England for some years. The preacher and 
the next principal member took to excessive drinking, so as 
often to be disguised ; the people would not meet with them 
and the meeting had dropped. When I heard this I did not 
marvel at the sufferings we had to feel. 

The 9th of the month, we left this place with heavy hearts, 
and rode thirty miles back to Charlotte, through the wilderness, 



102 JOURNAL OF 

a dreary, solitary ride to me. The 10th, 11th and 12th, we 
did not travel, but rested at our former home, and wrote to 
our Friends. The 13th and first of the week, we had a second 
meeting at this place ; the 14th we had a little meeting on the 
south part of the Island, five miles from the town, among a 
tender, thoughtful people. The Lord was with them to do 
them good, and His presence was felt amongst them ; it was a 
tendering, humbling time, I think not easily to be forgotten. 
O, how often is there renewed cause for humble thanks, and 
grateful praise to the Most High God, for the continuation of 
His mercies, that endure forever. The 15th and 16th we rode 
to the east end of the Island: the 17th we had a small meeting 
at one Coffin's, who was formerly from Nantucket, and brought 
up a Friend. There were several more of this description 
present. It was an exercising, laborious time, which is often 
the case, when w T e fall among people who know what the Truth 
is, and do not live up to it ; it is not only a loss to themselves, 
but often proves a hindrance to others. In the evening, we 
had a meeting about three miles from this ; a number came to 
it who had never been to a Friend's meeting before. It was a 
favored meeting ; the minds of the people were touched and 
tendered, and they seemed to want to show their gratitude. I 
thought it best to retire from them as quietly as I could. In 
the evening, it came into my mind, that when I departed, I 
must give the mistress of the house where we lodged, a dollar. 
In the morning, it came into my mind again, so that when we 
departed, I left a dollar in her hand, and told her to take it, 
and make good use of it, and left them. 

When we got on the road, John Cambridge told me he went 
out among the people after meeting, and they were gathering 
money for me, until he told them I would not take it. Then 
they stopped. The husband of the woman I gave the dollar 
to, was the most earnest to raise something handsome for me. 
I then thought I could see clearly, why my mind was impressed to 
leave money with them, to show them I could give, but not 
receive on the principle they gave, and to confirm John's testi- 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 103 

mony. We rode Lack to St. Petersburg ; the 20th and first 
of the week we had a meeting there, where was great opposi- 
tion in the minds of the people, which caused deep searching 
of heart, until Truth arose, and cleared my way, and enabled 
me, with gospel authority, to hold up the standard of Truth ; 
the people acknowledged to it, but seemed to struggle under 
it, which, Balaam like, is too often the case. I felt well re- 
lieved and satisfied. We staid in the neighborhood the nio-ht 

© © 

following. The 21st we returned to John Cambridge's, and 

© © / 

staid there until the — , for a passage, when we took a solemn 
departure from those kind, friendly people, and on the — land- 
ed at Pictou, a little Irish village, not a house without some 
more or less sick with the small pox in it. Neither of us ever 
had it. We had to stay several hours, to hire horses to ride 
across the country. We were -at a place where, when we sat 
down, we could look through the loose partition, and see them 
on their couches, apparently at the point of death, all having 
the disorder the natural way, yet we neither of us took it ; a 
great proof of Divine Providence, the remembrance of which 
was truly humbling to my mind, and awakens and calls for 
grateful thanks. We started the same day for Halifax, one 
hundred and forty miles distant. Got there the — very much 
fatigued. We stopped a few minutes at a Friend's house, who 
asked me if we intended a meeting in the city. I answered, 
that I had heard it said, that when sailors came in from sea, 
they must first get a good entry into harbor, before they could 
tell much about their clearing out ; and thus the subject 
dropped. We soon crossed the river and put up with Seth, 
Coleman, and kept cose for several days. 



CHAPTER IV. 

After getting recruited , and my spirits revived, we appointed 
a meeting in the evening, at Friends' meeting house, in Dart- 
mouth. It was small, but it seemed pleasant to be with 
Friends again, after a long absence. The evening following, 
we had a meeting in Halifax, which proved a good entry into 
harbor. At the close of this meeting, it sprang into my mind 
to express my satisfaction with their solid deportment and good 
attention, and that it was encouraging to me, as it showed re- 
gard for religion, and that I did not feel clear of the place, and' 
if it. were agreeable to them, I wanted to meet with them again, 
on such a day, at the fourth hour in the afternoon. They an- 
swered j it would be agreeable. I then requested them respect- 
fully to inform their neighbors, that their company would be 
grateful to me. After we came away, Friends told me they 
thought I would be disappointed, for there had been several 
Friends from England, and the States, who had made trial, 
and could never get a much larger meeting than we had. I 
felt easy in what I had done. 

We returned to Dartmouth ; from — to - — of 10th month, 
,we staid with Friends there, and had no meeting. The — we 
attended our appointed meeting at Halifax, to which it was 
thought that more than two hundred people came, whose de- 
portment was becoming Christians. It was a favored time. 
The people were much tendered. On my sitting down, soon 
after delivering a testimony, it came weightily on my mind to 
appoint another meeting in the city. I said to myself, it can- 
not be, for this house is crowded full, and there is nowhere to 
meet. While I was musing, a genteel appearing man stood up 



JOSEPH HO AG. 105 

and said, "Do 3-011 want another meeting in the city ? My 
mind is impressed that yon do. If yon do, yon can have the 
M,cthodist meeting-house. It is the largest in the city, and 
best seated ; I own two-thirds of it, and you are welcome to it. 
Appoint your meeting at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when the 
laboring class will be at liberty, and yon will have a great 
meeting." I turned to my companion, and asked him what he 
thought of it. He answered, "It was on my mind with 
weight, to have another meeting, but I could not see how cr 
where. It is best to accept the offer." I stood up and let the 
people know, we should be at the house at the hour, to a min- 
ute if we could, and that I wished them respectfully to inform 
their neighbors that it would be cordial to my feelings, to 
have the company of all that were willing to meet with us. The 
meeting then closed, and we -went to the Friend's house who 
lived near. I soon asked the Friend if there w T as not a man 
living in the north part of the city, who would let us have a 
meeting at his house. He answered, "Yes," we sent a messen- 
ger with orders, if the way was clear, to make the appoint- 
ment and go forward and notify the people. We attended 
and had a comfortable meeting ; the people's minds appeared 
open to receive the doctrines of Truth. At the close we in- 
formed them of the other appointment, and returned to Dart- 
mouth. Not feeling clear, I proposed another meeting there ; 
and general notice being given, it was large ; here way opened 
and utterance was given to clear, my mind so as to feel fully re- 
lieved. 

The — , according to appointment, w r e attended at the Meth- 
odist house in Halifax. When we came to the place, w 7 e found 
a large house ; and after we entered the door, we had to stop 
often, for the people to make way for us to get to our seats. 
When we came there, there was no place but the pulpit for us. 
Y\ T o walked up ; I looked around and saw 7 the house crowded 
from one end to the other, with people, and a great body stan- 
ding ouit^|9|; I, there in a lofty pulpit, seated on a satin cush- 
ion, a thought came into my mind, it my Mends at home knew 



106 JOURNAL OF 

where I was, their hearts would tremble for me. I sank down 
and wished I had not made the appointment, and concluded I 
could not open my mouth. There I sat under such depression 
of spirit and distress of mind ti.at 1 could hardly keep from 
trembling for some time. My companion kept his faith well, 
which was a strength to me ; bat at length, through the mercy 
of a gracious Re leemer, all this was taken off; they appeared 
to' me to be no more than children, and all about me no more 
than dust. Feeling the Word of Life to arise in my mind, 
with strength and Gospel authority, I was preparing to rise, 
when a language saluted me, "see that thou keep calm, and 
speak deliberately." Under the impression, I rose on my feet, 
and though there was considerable whispering, over the meet- 
ing, the first sentence spoken stilled them so that my compan- 
ion remarked, the like he never saw ; he took notice and did 
not remember that he saw a hand lifted or a foot moved for an 
hour and a half; the power of the Lord came mightily over 
the meeting. Truth reigned beyond what I had ever experi- 
enced before ; Gospel Truths flowed as the gentle waters, drop- 
ped as the rain, and distilled as the latter rain upon the people. 
The service closed with thanksgiving to the Most. High God, 
for favors past, and humble prayer for the continuation of 
them, and a blessing on the fav«>r of the day. In going out of 
the house, I felt a caution to take care not to be drawn away 
by the affections of the people. I was favored to take the hint, 
and got away as quick as I could to the Friend's house near 
by, away from all noise, and fell joy and peace in so doing. 
Next morning, after having a sweet refreshing night's sleep, I 
awoke feeling clear of those parts. I told my companion we 
would now leave ; while all was well we woul I leave it well. 

We took stage, and in three days we crossed over the coun- 
trv, to the bay side, and came to Samue: Mo re's, at who-e 
k-usea Friends' meeting was h^ld, on first days, once in two 
weeks. The — and — we lay by and wrote home. The 1 1th 
and 1st of the week, we had a large, favored meeiing at Samu- 
el Score's; th; minds of the people were broken iuto tender- 



josEni iioag. 107 

several of them to the shedding of tears plentifully. In 

the afternoon we bad a meeting on the mountain, amongst a 

poor people who seemed glad of the visit, and much tendered 
under the testimony I had to bear amongst them, yet there did 
not appear to be much religious concern with any of them. I 
felt peaee in discharging my duty. The 12th we rode to Gran- 
ville, and put up with Thomas Green, a public Friend, and the 
only one in this country. On the 13th we had a fall and sat- 
isfactory meeting there, where Friends' meeting is held half of 
the time. On the 14th we had another meeting at Granville, 
in a Baptist meeting house. This was a large meeting. I was 
told that four priests came to that meeting — all of different 
sentiments — and their hearers with them, strongly armed with 
a coat of mail ; the materials, superstition. They did not mean 
to be touched on any side, nor have their castle defaced any- 
where ; a sense of the state of the people very much depressed 
my mind with painful exercise. I said in my heart, in vain 
will it be for me to open my mouth. I felt much stripped in 
spirit, and was resigned to pass the meeting in silence, believ- 
ing the Lord knew what was best for me and the people. My 
mind became calm and composed : after a long silence I felt 
the Word of Life to arise with powerful authority, with these 
words : "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me ? it is hard for 
thee to Lick against the pricks/' I was led to open and apply 
the subject in all its bearings ; the priests' heads soon fell ; the 
Lord's power came over the meeting, and the mighty power of 
the Most High shook their castle to the foundation ; though 
they struggled for awhile, their armor failed them ; their Goli- 
ah fell, and the spirit of opposition, Philistine-like, fled and left 
the field ; Gospel Truths flowed in a clear and easy maimer, 
and dropped as the early dew ; may it rest long on the people, 
many of whom were broken to tenderness of heart, and some 
to tears. Oh ! may my soul forever bow before the Lord in 
hnmble gratitude, thanks and praise to His eternal, holy name ! 
The loth we had a meeting at Annapolis, in a Methodist 
meeting-house ; many inquiring, tender people came to it, and 



JOURNAL : : 

i us witl Dg. The 

,t Clemmens, twelve miles from Anna] lis 
hatch, a poor peo] Lenin, tender- 

id much i 1th the visit From 

ten mil ^e, and on the 1 8th and 

fii I [ the week we had :. meetis nil 'ch meeting- 

"\--- minister gave nj the affeerm ::_ as. He attended 
showed nc disgust, thongh plain truths were told 
them. It was a satisfactory >pportunity to us, and generally 
so to the people Th - 1 fch w 3 w mt : T: >ut Cove, and had 
;. meeting there >n the 20th, and found kind reception by the 
people. ~" _ >;.a: had a mc Iyer's Hole. The 

22 d we had ; ve. In all these places vre 

met with kind reception, and good ; aid to us. 

The 23d we made Stormy Bay, ten miles, and lodged 

ith had a meeting there 

: lay, She 25th, when _ rather- 

3d together. The i broke in apon them in a 

vrond ■;•"_:".".'. i and some 

aloud I "he standard of 

r in the 
ibe-Hi 3rmore! 

\ h tarted i Moore 

:: my fat 

)ymlly re- 
ceive L My ; re that he 
he n . . : in n h m in : . kn >w he 

antry, 

eling -everal 

.'. wi bh . ■; fc the lei : some 

s ! him up, n 1 < 

with -age, and I 

a and 
found my compank ire; he had ] ssage. 



JOSEPH IIOAG, 109 

We were one night together, and Lad to part again. We 

went on to Annapolis, and made but little stop there. I now 
had Samnel Moore for company. The morning following we 
rode about Hyc miles and came to a thickly settled neighbor- 
hood ; we stopped and bad a meeting with a careless, easy peo- 
ple, who concerned themselves very little about religion. Af- 
ter meeting we went to Robert Fitz-Randolph's, the 30th of 
the month, and lay by until first day, when we attended meet- 
ing at Wilmit, and bad an appointment on the mountain in the 
afternoon ; the meeting was pretty full and favored. Truth gave 
strength and utterance to clear my mind, so that I felt fully relieved. 
I lay by a short time, to recruit, if I Could, as I was much 
worn down ; but my rest was not long'. Being strongly im- 
pressed to go to Corowallis and' Hoveton, I informed Friends 
of my prospect, and they approved of it. Samuel Moore and 
Thomas Green accompanied me. The 4th of the week and 
month, we set out and rode forty miles, but got in so late that 
there was not time to have a meeting that evening. We gave 
the next day to look for a place and inform the people, and on 
6th day we bad a meeting in the Baptist meeting-house. The 
gathering was not large, the inhabitants mostly Baptists, and 
fixed in their belief, so that it seemed heavy getting along 
amongst them, but I was favored to relieve my mind. On the 
7th of the week and month, we rode to Hoveton ; the 8th of 
the month and first of the week, we had a large meeting in 
the Baptist meeting-house of that place ; many of other socie- 
ties coming in, there was an open door for labor. My mind 
was much enlarged, the doctrines of Truth w r ent forth clearly, 
and appeared to be w 7 ell received by the people. 

We then returned to Samuel Moore's. The 11th, I made a 
little visit to the inhabitants of the Mountain, and took my final 
leave of them. The 12th we went to visit the few Friends at 
Granville, and made our home with Thomas Green; 13th, 
met with the few Friends there, and some of their neighbors 
sat with them ; where we experienced the Lord's promise ful- 
filled — that w T here two or three are gathered in His name, there 



110 JOURNAL OF 

lie would "be in the midst of them, whose presence gives joy 
and gladness of heart and raises the drooping head. The 14th, 
I appointed a meeting at Annapolis ; but not feeling clear, I ap- 
pointed another on first day, the 15th. The collection of peo- 
ple was large, which gave opportunity to relieve my mind in a 
solid, feeling manner, and to part with them affectionately. The 
day following, we rode to Digby, 40 miles ; the 17th, we went 
up the River about nine miles, and had a meeting on the north 
side of the basin. I went to this meeting poor, empty, and 
bowed in spirit. In this depressed condition I mourned 
awhile, but my Eedeemer was pleased in His own time, to 
arise with healing in His wings, and to annoint the shield. I 
went forth under the banner of His love ; my bow abode in 
strength, and the battle was turned to the gate this day, I 
hope to the everlasting honor of the true and living God. The 
— - we returned to Digby, and the next day, at evening, had a 
meeting in a private house. In the course of my communica- 
tion I- was led to address the mother of a family, who mourned 
with heart-rending grief for a drunken husband, who was 
spending his property at taverns in drunkenness ; so that she 
greatly feared her children would come to poverty and want. 
I had to address her in this language ; " hold up thy head in 
hope for thou shalt soon be relieved of thy burden ; thy hus- 
band shall be taken away and laid under the cold turf and not 
suffered to deprive thee of a living nor thy children of a home. 
When this takes place see that thou art a mother to thy chil- 
dren, bringing them up in the fear of the Lord, that He may 
be a Husband to thee, and a Father to thy children, and may 
bless you." After meeting there came in several where I was. 
One man looked on me and said, " According to your preach- 
ing such a man is going to die soon, and you pictured him out 
exactly." I said, " was he at meeting ? He ansAvered, " Yes, 
and his wife too." Before I got away from the place, there 
came a man into the house where I was, and said, such a man 
is dead, just as the Minister said — he died drunk — and now we 



JOSEPH HOAG. Ill 

want to get the Minister to stay and preach the funeral sermon. 
I thought it best to pass away as quietly as I could. 

Not feeling clear of the inhabitants up the River St. John's, I 
made the second visit, with Samuel Moore for company; he 
made an agreeable companion. The 21st we set sail for New 
Brunswick and arrived there about twelve at night. The next, 
being first day, at evening we had a large, solid, comfortable 
meeting in the Methodist meeting house; in it my 
spirit was revived, and courage renewed in the Lord 
to go forward in hope. Accordingly we sailed up the 
River about forty miles to Archelaus Carpenter's, and got 
there the 25th of the month. The 23th, we had a large 
meeting at Robert Smith's in the neighborhood ; here the way 
for communication was made easy, the doctrines of Truth were 
clearly opened and the people gave good attention. Near the 
close, a comely woman stood up and acknowledged, " This is 
the everlasting truth we have heard to-day ; and there is no 
other way to be saved ;" and she wished the audience to prize 
the favor, and in all diligence to make their peace with God. 

Feeling clear of this place, we took the boat to go up the 
River, the wind being ahead, we stopped after getting about 
four miles. The next day, the 27th, the wind being ahead, we 
traveled on foot six miles, to Benjamin Birdsall's. Here we 
stopped and had a meeting with a careless people ; yet such 
were the mercies of the Lord that the Truth came over all, and 
the minds of many were tendered. The 29th, and first of the 
week, we had a meeting in Waterbury with the Baptists. 
Though the Lord gave strength and utterance amongst them, 
they were so settled in their belief that it was like pouring wa- 
ter on a rock, yet I felt peace in doing my duty. After meet- 
ing we traveled twelve miles to Hugh Copperthwait's, in Shef- 
field. The 30th, had a meeting there at evening, amongst a 
loose, hard people, mostly refugees. It required sharp, heavy 
strokes to enter old dozy blocks ; this made the labor hard, but 
good was the Lord, who helped me to clear my mind, so that I 
felt easy to leave them, and glad to escape. 



112 JOURNAL OF 

The 1st of the 12th month, we traveled twelve mile" 
Nicholas Hideout's and lodged with him, The 2d of the 

month we sat with a tender few who were concerned to meet 
together in the manner of Friends, and were comforted I had 

to encourage them to abide faithful, and the Lord would be 
with them and keep them in safety. The 3d we were detained 
by a snow storm. Early in the morning; of the 4th we started 
forFrederiekton, finding the river not passable, we returned to 
our Friend Rideoat's. We had a little meeting in the neigh- 
borhood on the 5th of the month, and next day the first of the 
week, we met with the few friendly people at Rkl eout's, where 
they commonly met. Notice being given of our being there, a 
pretty lar^e company came in. Here I was favored with a 
lively, clear testimony. In the afternoon we met with the few 
friendly people who chose to meet by themselves, as usual ; the 
life of Gospel love was sweetly felt amongst them. F: 
much sympathy with them I was led to encourage them to 
abide -in and keep the word of patience ; it was these the ] 
w old keep in the hour of temptation. 

The 7th of the month, the roads not being fit ravel, we 

lay 1 y B :- 3th, we made trial, and got across the river on the 
;-. .-.-.." went be Prederickton, made our home with Robert 
Smith, and were kindly used. The 9th, at evening we had a 
larg;e, crowded meeting, at Cornelius Ackermans. He 
was led to show that the devil was the first that ever pre: ;] 
the doctrine that a man might sin and should not die; and to 
show that God had always said the soul that sins shall surely 
die; that God had Ministers and the devil had Mini-;;:-, and 
when we heard Ministers preach such doctrine as the devil first 
preach* 1 we might know they were not the [ Listers. 

I was led largely into the subject ; the people gave good ; 
tion, and app; id. I was told after meeting that there 

was a great dispute between the New Lights and Methc 

claiming the right of likeness to the Qv. The man 

_ked, "You have decided the dispute." I ask 
how it turned I lie said, " The Xew Lights believe, 'once in 



JOSEPH HOAG. 113 

grace, always in grace,' in the extreme ; and yon have laid all 
that waste, and the Methodists exult." I was told there was a 
number of both sorts at meeting. After another meeting I 
was attacked by a New Light preacher, and about twenty with 
him ; he accosted me thus : " Well, friend, I can fellowship 
you, I have seen Quakers before, and if I am ever so happy as 
to get to heaven I expect to have Quaker's company ; but how 
you get along without baptism and the sacrament, or Lord's 
Supper, I cannot see." Being fatigued and seeing such a sharp- 
looking man, and a large company with him, I was afraid, for I 
thought they came for argument, which I was not fond of. I 
sat a little to think when it came into my mind to ask a few 
questions, which would, perhaps, bring the matter to a close. 
I proceeded : " Did I understand tjiee that thou believest there 
are Quakers in Heaven ? " Answer, " Yes." Question' — " Is 
there any way to get into heaven, but by Christ, the door?" 
Answer, " No." Question — " Are they ever turned out when 
once admitted." Answer, " No." I then remarked, " Then I 
think the Quakers have the better of the Baptists, and make a 
saving." He said, " Why so ? " I remarked, " We save the 
labor of going down into the water, and coming out again, and 
g our clothes, and get to Heaven as safe as you." He 
sat a little, then arose and took me by the hand, with these 
words ; " I can bid you God speed, farewell ; " and went off 
with his company ; and glad was I. 

The 10th we traveled up the river seven miles. A storm 
coming on, we stopped with General Isaac Allen, who kindly 
invited us to stay with him through the storm. The 12th, we 
moved on up the river about four miles, and stopped to have 
a meeting in the evening. We met with painful trials, as I 
had now got on the ground, where the people held their meet- 
somewhat in the form of Friends for several years, and had 
rejected the common ceremonies. There came in a New Light 
preacher who staid round several months, and persuaded a num- 
ber of them to go into the water, and forbid w omen's preaching ; 
he had crazed one woman but the other two somewhat stood 



114 JOURNAL OF 

their ground. He forbade the people to meet in the Quaker- 
way, as he called it. There were a number who would not go 
into the water nor receive his doctrine ; and after he had got 
the people all in confusion and contention, he went off and 
left them in a pitiful situation. I found it my business to go 
among the remnant, that had not been drawn away, encourag- 
ing them to meet together as before. They had found the ef- 
fects of admitting Ministers to preach in their meetings before 
they knew their pinciples. I thought it, a sufficient warning in 
future, but, poor things ! they seemed so broken and heart 
rent, that I could but mourn for them. ! may the Lord be 
a wall about them ! I believed it right to encourage the wo- 
men to stand their ground. 

The 13th and first of the week, we had a meeting in Cove 
village, in King's Clear. It was large, both sorts being present. 
My mind was led in a clear, discriminating line of doctrine, 
between the precious and the vile, the letter and the Spirit, cer- 
emony and Gospel substance ; in that the letter killeth, but the 
quickening of the Spirit maketh alive unto love and good works. 
This rejoiced the poor broken ones, the others were silenced, 
and Truth had the victory. Blessed be the name of the Most 
High, who is strength in weakness, riches in poverty, and a 
ready helper in every needful time, to all those who look to, 
and put their trust entirely in Him. 

The 14th, (I think) we had a meeting, to which a number of 
black people come ; it was a tendering time. They seemed 
more open and ready to believe the Truth than many who had 
more information, for they acknowledged they felt the Truth. 
The 15th, we had a meeting at Archelaus Hammond's in the 
evening — not large, but satisfactory, excepting some lightness 
amongst the young people, but they became sober before meet- 
ing ended. Not feeling clear of the place, we appointed anoth- 
er meeting in the neighborhood, for the evening of the 16th. 
It was large, Truth came over all and arose in dominion. The 
people were tendered and fully acknowledged to the truth of 
what was delivered among them. The 17 th, we had a meeting 



JOSEPH HOAG. 115 

at John Barker's, to good satisfaction to ourselves and the peo- 
ple. 19th, had a meeting in the evening at the house of John 
Lawrence, a favored, solemn time. 20th, first day, had anoth- 
er meeting in the neighborhood, to which a large number 
came. I found my mind drawn to take up the subject of man's 
sinning during life ; that those who believed in and taught 
that doctrine were not the followers of Christ, for he came to 
put an end to sin, and finish transgression, and in the room 
thereof to bring in everlasting righteousness, (a new 7 doctrine 
in this part of the country), which made the people stare for 
awhile. Through the mercies of the Most High, I felt my 
mind harnessed for the day, and enabled to show them from 
many Scripture texts, that God through Christ had amply pro- 
vided means, in the pouring forth of the spirit ol His grace 
upon all flesh ; a measure of which, was given to every man 
to profit withal, w T hich, if they believed in, and obeyed in 
all things, it would become that strength in them, which 
would enable them to walk in newness of life — after the 
Spirit and not after the flesh — and to worship the Father 
in spirit and in truth, which was the only worship accepted 
of Hun ; and I was led to show them that what was not of 
God, was sin, as well in worship, as in all other conduct. I 
was much helped — the word went forth clear and in good au- 
thority. The meeting was quiet and closed solidly, for which 
I felt renewed cause to give thanks, and praise to the Lord 
Most High, for the favors of the day. 

21st, not being well, I lay by, except riding about five 
miles to Bear Island, where we had a large meeting the 22d, 
in the evening. The people were attentive and quiet, and I 
think it w T as to the satisfaction of all. After this meeting I 
felt at liberty to turn about. I left some of them weeping ; it 
was an humbling parting. 23d, traveled ten miles, mostly on 
foot, and put up at Benjamin Stewart's, formerly from Fishkill, 
New York State, who kindly entertained us. 24th and 25th 
we continued our travel on foot through the snow, which was 
very fatiguing, until we got to Jonathan Sisson's, at Lizaway 



11 6* JOURNAI OB 

Creek; he was my native sonntry, 1 very r\~. I to see 
3 had a good home, where we rested the if ~~ 
First-day, the 27th, we I . meeting at Jonathan Sisson's, 
where we found a few serious, enqnirir i - ; >ple, and Ihf 
opene 1 bo minister Gospel truths, which were gladly receive L 
29th. we had a meeting on Island. In thi 

shtfwn me in the elc li it : the Lord, that the p< 
had been vi at . :. with the day-spring from on hig:h, an i 

::ned; and that the Priests, (as in some 
taken this opp >i Innity to make them believe that this was theii 
day :: grace, and seal of then: election; that they never could 
be lost; and bad people :: 

which began the work of reformation in I :1: ; yi i 

if they were baptized in water, partook of the 
they sail it, kept the Sabbath-day, and paid tl 
well, all was well, even while sin had dominion ;: Ihem 
the last state :f such was worse than first I ws ained 

ke up the snt ject at large, and g int 3 all its branches an I 
show the ■:■ rrn : such pri 

hardness of heart it would leave them in : that it 
and delnsion al rays >ronght forth sin, ax md.net 

transacted and :".::.":: id under religion, that was strange. A:::r 
going th subjects I was helped in a marvellous 

manner to call the attention of the peopl 2 : 
:.- akenc 1 them, sh jm ft : m 

it was and what it would do for them ; and if th 1 be- 

Eeve in it they would have 

them without money and without price. Aftei this mi 
feeling so relie sic th ;- 1 with peg 

thinking of the goodness of the Lord in giving a 
sense ( 5 of the pf 

acknowledged it was >, and t 

: so much s ful intimac 

with one : : theii Ministei 1 

Aft 3i meetin \ ewei 1 : n iel 

Frederickton, and 1 sold on my Lm 



JOSEPH IIOAO. 117 

till the 2d of 1st month, 1802. In the evening we had a meet- 
ing in the town ; many came and apparently well satisfied. 3d, 
first day, we moved down the river ; my being much unwell, 
we traveled slowly; 4th, we got to Hugh Copperthwaite's ; 
6th, we rode about twelve miles, but growing more unwell, I 
gave up proceeding, only as I could bear it, but soon had to 
stop. This gave chance to recruit a little, but feeling my mind 
drawn towards a village at the head of Grand Lake, I persua- 
ded Benjamin Birdsall to take us there, a distance of thirty 
miles; he took us to Marmaduke Hutchinson's. We found 
them Friends and rejoiced to see us come ; we had a meeting 
at his house next day, and they being much beloved by their 
neighbors, and living near the village, the meeting was full — a 
precious, tendering time. The first Deacon of the church, with 
his wife, was convinced of the Truth at that meeting ; both 
have since become members of our Society, and nearly all their 
large family of children. Next day we parted with them af- 
fectionately, and returned to Benjamin Birdsall' s on the 11th. 
But my weakness on the lungs rather increasing I lay by sev- 
eral days until I was a little recruited, and then went down the 
river to Wickham, to Samuel Underbill's, where we stopped 
and had a large meeting on first day, the 17th, which was tru- 
ly favored, and the people were generally tendered, acknow- 
ledging the truth of what the} 7 had heard. When I came into 
this place and informed what my prospect was, and. when they 
said a Baptist Minister had appointed a meeting the same day 
and hour, and notice was spread. I thought of it a little and 
then told them I felt best to attend to my own prospect, and 
as we lived in a free country, the people might go the way they 
liked. My proposal was complied with, and when the time 
came, the Priest seeing how the minds of the people stood, 
proposed to them to drop his appointment and come with 
them to my meeting. This was readily agreed to ; the Priest 
acknowledged he was glad he was there, being well paid for 
coming ; the presence of the Lord was amongst us, and he 
wished the people to take heed to what they had heard, for it 



118 JOURNAL OF 

was tlie truth. I note this for encouragement to you, my chil- 
dren, to stand faithful to the pure openings of light and life, 
resting assured that the Lord will make way for the right thing. 
The 18th, we went down to New Brunswick, and my lungs 
becoming more affected, we staid until we could get a passage 
in a good vessel to Digby. We sailed at two in the afternoon, 
and in a few hours there came on a tremendous storm from the 
south-east and brought the fog so thick that we could not see 
from bow to stern of the vessel. They had soon to light lamps, 
and the tide going out we had a dreadful sea. Night came 
on, dark beyond description, so that for tw T elve hours it seemed 
awful. In the morning we narrowly escaped being dashed upon 
the rocks; but our lives -were all spared, and we had to look 
back and reflect upon the marvelous providence and tender 
mercies of Him who controlleth the great deep. We staid at 
Digby one night, and then went up the river to Wilmet, home 
with my companion, who, to his joy, found his family all well. 
By this time I was not able to travel. I kept my room mostly, 
for several weeks, except to attend meetings as they came in, 
course. They were held half the time at Samuel Moore's, at 
whose house I was then staying. Whilst here I heard of three 
families of Friends, (the men were all brothers), that lived back 
in the country, and had not been visited by Friends since they 
came there. I felt my mind impressed night and day to go 
and see them. When I was recruited so that I could ride I 
set out with Samuel Moore and Thomas Green for company, 
and found them ; one of the brothers w r as dead. They told us 
they agreed for their passage to Pennsylvania, but before the}^ 
sailed, (unknown to them), the Captain was ordered to land 
them in Nova Scotia, just about the time war was declared 
with America, and it continued so long that they became dis- 
couraged and bought land there, and had lived in the country 
twenty-eight years, without having any intercourse with our 
Society. The old people appeared to retain the likeness of 
Frl rids, in language, deportment and. dress. The children were 
much ^one, except those of the youngest brother, who had set- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 119 

tied a number of miles back. T! e parents were in thepraetice 
of sitting down with their children on first days, which the 
others had omitted. The difference in the families was easily 

seen. We had a meeting in each neighborhood, but this last 
was a solid, tendering and joyful time to this dear family. 
When we parted with them, tears fell from their cheeks like 
drops of rain, and my heart ached tor them. AVe returned to 
the other settlement where I was taken sick and confined a 
week. AVI i en recruited, we had another meeting with them 
and parted, and I returned to Samuel Moore's. After parting- 
wit h these Friends and looking over the great number I had 
fallen in with, who told me their parents or grand-parents were 
Friends, and some that they were members, appearing as sheep 
without a Shepherd, all within me capable of feeling was awa- 
kened to sympathy, so that I could but pour forth my prayer 
to the Lord that He would pity this land and be a Shepherd 
to the people. In many places I was entreated with tears to 
come and live among them ; that they would be Friends and 
enjoy Society; for they could be nothing else and they would 
not go to hear the Priests ; therefore they were nothing. 
Many affecting scene> I passed through in this land, feeling 
this language pass through my mind; Oh! that Friends did 
but enough consider what our f ^re-fathers passed through for 
the principles we profess, and the blood of the righteous that 
was shed for the liberty we enjoy, they would not wander from 
the sacred enclosure of Israel's 'King as they do, seeing the 
Lord doth not withhold anything that is for the good of those 
who loye him. 

Returning to Samuel Moore's, I found myself unable to keep 
up, and in a few days was confined to the bed with an inflam- 
mation of the lungs. Here I was confined for nearly three 
month-, and was brought near the grave ; the pain and agony 
I underwent, I cannot describe: affecting my head, so that I 
was often fl ghty in my talk. When more settled, the thought 
of being deranged, and also of dying in a stran. e land, away 
■from my family and friends, was very afflicting. The eld eae- 



120 JOURNAL OF 

my was suffered to throw his fiery darts, which tried my faith 
to an hairs breadth, in presenting to me that this was the re- 
ward of all my toil and anxiety ; that I had preached repent- 
ance, which was false doctrine, for God never sinned; and I 
had told the people that God had sent His Son, Jesus Christ, 
into the world, who had laid down his life as an offering, ac- 
ceptable to God, His Father, that sinners might be converted ; 
all this was horrid blasphemy, for it was inconsistent with the 
nature of God, reason, or good sense, to believe that He would 
take the life of a good man, (for he was a good man), to satisfy 
His revenge on the wicked, was horrid to believe ; $iat I had 
preached it up, and that if I would renounce this false doctrine, 
I should feel better, for I was going to die, and if I did not do 
it, hell would be my doom. This put me in such agony that I 
requested no one should be admitted into the room without 
my consent. I kept my room, in this condition, for two weeks, 
but all through this sore trial I felt a spirit in me to contradict 
all these presentations, and when the darkest shades of despair 
came over me, it kept a lit tie spark of hope alive, which could 
not be put out. I was reduced under these trials to an almost 
helpless condition ; to deny all that I had ever found comfort in, 
I durst not, without an evidence of light, that would bring peace 
and quiet to the mind — this I dad not find. To try to comfort 
myself with past experience, I found, gave no relief. I turned 
and turned, but found no ray of solid comfort, until I gave up to 
die in that country, in just such a manner as the Lord was 
pleased I should ; for in all these rolling thoughts, there was 
nothing in me that would consent that God was not perfect- 
goodness, and equally just. This grain of faith I never gave 
up, and it proved enough to keep the fire of hope alive. For 
a number of days I durst not converse with any person, only 
to ask for what I needed. I dared not look into a book, as I 
found my mind could not bear it. I lay for days and nights, 
keeping as still as possible in body and mind : the only theme 
of meditation was, " I am here before thee, O Lord ! a poor, 
helpless creature ! If I have been wrong, less or more, Thou 



JOSEPH HO AG. 121 

knowest it all, and canst show it mo ; if I have been right, Thou 
canst confirm it to me, and strengthen me to endure whatever 
Thou wiliest I should, without a murmur. Here I am, in life, 
in death, and in judgment ; do with me what is good in Thine 
eye." 

In this state of mind only, could I feel composed, an.d enjoy 
a little the comforts of hope, until the Lord was pleased in 
mercy, to take me out of the horrible pit, and give me to see 
in the clear visions of light, that it was the hour of temptation 
which I had passed through, in which, and with which kind of 
floods the old dragon had swallowed up many, and would draw 
down many with the sweep of his tail ; .and as I did not run 
with the temptation, nor lean to my own understanding, but 
had regard to that Spirit which ■ withstood the tempter in me, 
and had called on Him alone, and not on another — therefore 
He heard me, and would hear all such, and keep them in the 
hour of temptation from falling. The floods passed away ; I 
seemed as though I was in another world, much like a Paradise. 
I found the feet of my mind once more set on the Eock of all 
Ages, that was never prevailed against, and was higher than 
I, and where I could sing praises to the Lord God, and the 
Lamb, who was slain from the foundation of the world. 

I soon recovered, and spring having come on, I made prep- 
aration to return to the States. The 19th of the 4th month, I 
came to Digby to seek a passage, but had to wait several days, 
in which time I felt a draft on my mind to make some visits. 
I attended to it, and attended a meeting at James Hollinghead's, 
at Jogins, and one at Joseph Young's, at Digby ; both were 
comfortable and refreshing to me. 23d of 4th month, I em- 
barked for the States about 9 in the morning, with a fair wind, 
but had sailed only a few hours, when there came on a heavy 
northeast storm ; before it w r e ran three days and nights. When 
in sight of and opposite Cape Cod, the storm ceased, andfor twen- 
ty-four hours we had a calm. The sea having been blown into 
great swells, and the wind ceasing at once, we could not sail 
at all, and the vessel rolled exceedingly. The next morning 



122 JOURNAL OF 

the wind started from the V\ T . 1ST . W-, with a tremenduous blow, 
so that we were in imminent danger for six hours. About the 
middle of the day it abated, and I was set on shore at Martha's 
Vineyard, near the bouse of a Friend named Coffin, who, with 
his family, were glad to see me return. I had not been long 
here, before I felt drawings of mind to pay a visit to Gay Head. 
I went and had a solid meeting with the people of color, and 
found my mind entirely relieved, and at liberty to take a final 
farewell. We returned to Wm. Coffin's, and on first day the 
2d of 5th month, had a meeting there, and one in the afternoon 
a few miles off, at the house of Obed Coffin, both to good sat- 
isfaction. 

The 5th I was landed on Nantucket, and the day following 
I attended the South meeting. Next day had a meeting at 
New Town, and felt well satisfied it was right that I attended 
to the opening on my mind. The 9th, first day, I attended 
the South meeting in the morning, and at the North in the 
afternoon. In both these meetings, I was enabled to clear my 
mind in the most relieving maimer that I ever experienced in 
this place. The packet not being ready to sail, I had to stay 
until after their mid-week meetings. In both these, I felt con- 
strained to come to close, plain work, there having been a di- 
vision amongst them, that had done much hurt. After these 
meetings, and having had private opportunities with several of 
them, I felt clear, and saw my way to leave them. 

14th, I took my departure from Nantucket, with the enjoy- 
ment of a peaceful mind, that made all around me look beauti- 
ful. 15th, I was set on shore at Yarmouth, and first day, the 
16th, I attended that meeting, and had the company of dear, 
aged Mary Mitchell, and heard her blow her little trumpet as 
clear as a bell. It was like marrow to my bones to see such 
greenness in old age, and such precious fruit brought forth. 
After meeting, rode to Sandwich, and went to Paul Wing's, 
who appeared rejoiced to see me return, and soon walked over 
to Joseph Wing's — my former cc nnanion for several months — 
who seemed as much rejoiced to see me return. On returning 



josepii no ag. 123 

to Paul Wings I found myself unable to travel, so lay by seve- 
ral days and attended their mid-week meeting. 

It being kuown that I was expected there, the meeting was 
full. I felt my mind uncommonly shut up, and much com- 
posed in stillness. Musing, why is it that I am so shut up, and 
feel so easy ; a language ran through my mind, " There are a 
number of members here who would not have been present, had 
they not expected thee ; they are waiting for, and looking to 
thee, and not to Me, the Giver of all good." I became satisfied, 
and passed the meeting in silence, feeling great peace of mind 
in so doing. Xot feeling clear of the place, I went to see the 
sick, made some social visits, and had religious opportunities 
in two or three families. After attending their meeting on first 
day, in which I had good service — but mostly for other people 
— in the line of doctrine, not yet feeling clear, I proposed to 
meet with them on second day, which was agreed to. In this 
meeting mv mind was bowed under a deen and clear sense, 
that there was a trying day coming on Friends, in that part of 
the land ; a sifting time, in which every foundation would be 
tried. I had to sound the alarm in a solemn, moving manner ; 
it seemed to settle on the minds of the people, and I felt fully 
relieved. 

24th I took leave of my Friends affectionately, and went to 
Pembroke, and attended their Preparative Meeting, and not 
feeling clear, made a short tarry. I went to Marshfield, and 
had a meeting at Joseph Rogers', and another in Hanover at 
Mordecai Ellis', and returned to Pembroke, and attended that 
meeting on first day. In all the above meetings, ability was 
given to discharge the duty required of me, so as to feel re- 
lieved, .and to enjoy a peaceful mind. I then moved on to 
Lynn, and attended their fore and afternoon meetings on first 
day, the 6th of 6th month. In the first I was silent— in the 
latter, much enlarged, to the satisfaction of my Friends, and 
the relief and comfort of my own mind. Thence to Salem, to 
attend the Quarterly Meeting, which was large, and though ex- 
ercising on account of the state of Society as shown in the ac- 



124 JOURNAL OF 

counts brought up, yet in the main, was a favored meeting. I 
then proceeded to the Yearly Meeting, and was able to attend • 
the several sittings, though much unwell. The business in gen- 
eral was conducted with a good degree of harmony. ' 

After the close of the Yearly Meeting, I returned to Provi- 
dence, and on the following day had a favored meeting at Cum- 
berland, amongst a thoughtful people. On first day, 20th, I 
attended a meeting at Smithfield in the forenoon, and Provi- 
dence in the afternoon, and had good service in both. I ex- 
pected to go direct to New Bedford, without making any stop 
excepting for refreshments, but was suddenly taken sick, so 
that I could not tarvel. When a little recovered, it was shown 
me that I had to go to Swansey, with which I complied, after 
some close exercise. I attended one meeting, and had another 
appointed amongst and for other people, which was large, and 
much favored. My way being clear, I now went to New Bed 5 
ford, enjoying a peaceful mind. I there made my home with 
Wm, Rotch, the elder, where I was kindly taken care of. 
When I got here, my mind was much depressed, and in this 
situation I thought it not safe to move, and lay by the most of 
two days. I came here with an expectation to attend the 
Quarterly Meeting soon to be held on Nantucket, but when 
the packet came in sight that was to carry Friends, the cloud 
passed off my mind, and I was shown in the clear light of the 
Lord, that the resigned will was taken for the deed, and I was 
at liberty to turn my course towards Portland — a joyful re- 
lease this was to me. I made ready, and in a short time was 
on my way with John Winslow for company. On our way, 
we attended Seabrook mid-week meeting, and not feeling clear, 
another was appointed next day. A number of members came 
to it, who seldom attended meetings in the middle of the week, 
and way opened to address that class in a weighty, feeling 
manner, in the authority of Truth, which rose into dominion 
at that time. We were next at Almsbury ; the meeting was 
small ; there were a few plain, aged Friends, who were con- 
cerned to keep up their meeting. The testimony of Truth 



JosEPn iioag. 125 

lay low amongst them. I returned to Seabrook, and attended 
their meeting on first day, where my mind was much enlarged 
iii the doctrines of the Gospel, and it went forth clear. There 
being a number present who were looking towards Friends, it 
was a satisfactory meeting, and fully relieving to my mind. 
We passed on to Epping, and found when we came there, that 
the Friend who undertook to notify for the meeting, had not 
been faithful. Of course, the meeting was small, and not feel- 
ing easy, I appointed another the next day, which was large 
and favored. Thence to Lee, a small meeting, and I thought 
it poorly attended in the middle of the week. I was led to 
treat the subject with plainness, and to remind Friends of the 
sufferings of our fore-fathers for that testimony ; and that by 
then' faithfulness, they purchased the liberties we enjoy ; and 
how lightly they are thought of as appears by neglect in the 
attendance of our meetings. Next we went to Dover, and from 
impressions that I felt in attending their mid-week meeting, 
which was small. I believed many of their members were uol 
there. I felt most easy to call a meeting the next day, when 
they generally came. I had to speak at large on the subject of 
Friends' neglect of duty in the attendance of meetings ; bring- 
ing to mind the testimony we profess to bear, the integrity of 
our first worthies, and our reaping the harvest of their 
faithfulness, showing the responsibility that rested on us, to 
support the noble testimony. I was mercifully helped to lay 
these truths so close and tender, that they seemed to settle 
home on the meeting at that time. May the Lord cause it to 
be as the nail in a sure place. 

The following meeting was at William Brown's. It was 
large, and favored with the presence of the Holy Shepherd of 
Israel. We attended meeting on first day following, at Ber- 
\ which was a trying one to my feelings, for it appeared 
clear to me, that the form of godliness was much more affected 
in some of the leaders of the people, than they were concerned 
for the life of it; and by these the power of God was. rejected 
in themselves, and by them opposed in others, who were wil- 



126 JOURNAL OF 

ling to obey the Truth. The effect was great spiritual desola- 

hi. while the 
I to the diner of the world, t 
much unassisted h feelings were 

aroused; I had I n my armor, and go into the field with 

the drawn - the Spirit, and to wield it under my Mas- 

ter^ banner, until His mighty power rose into dominion, and 
the turned to the gat- f lay. Blessed be His 

ever Holy name ! I felt great peace, and rail relief after this 
meet 

On second day morning, the 12th of 7th month, I set out 
for Portland with my agrc sable Friend, Peter Morrell, for my 
companion. 13t ad a meeting in the town — a large, 

mixed multitude, but in the main. : I meeting; but I 

hurt myself in speaking too hut. and I think it hurt the foree 
of my testimony: y igh the unmerited mercies of the 

Most High, the meeting ended qui:-, and the people \ 
to feei serious. Froi Lo Falmouth, and attended 

their Preparative Meeting — shut up in silence. At Windham, 
the og, and silent there also. We left an appoint- 

ment for seventh ^:~. h( an get some re- 

lief, as my mind seemed loaded, an 3 : ut greatly distressed. 

There was also a mc at Grorham on 6th day; 

we hutment — still my mouth was sealed, 

and the people appeared muc 

We returned to Windham, where the meeting was large. 
Here again my lips were sealed, and my heart shut up. I 
passed the meeting in si] ~ searching 

f my movements; for the 
peoi - only di : hem dissatis- 

L This, in addition 

lot what to do or 

wl: 1 my Lord and Master gave me clearly to 

i t was right 

: to go, in i sigj I better for me and 

the people, to be a sign to them, in the will and wisdom 



JOSEPH IIO AG. 127 

of the Lord, than to speak out of it ; that it was right for me, 
when the Lord directed, to go from meeting to meeting, and 
see and feel the states of meetings and the people, in silence, 
as it was for Nehcniiah to view Jerusalem throughout, before 
he put his hand to the work. This opening fully relieved my 
mind ; I said, " Good is the will of the Lord, and let it be 
done." 

The next day and first of the week, we attended Falmouth 
meeting. In it, I had to lift up my voice like a trumpet, to 
show many their transgressions, and the high, superficial pro- 
fessors their sins. The w T ord went forth in its own authority ; 
the Truth prevailed over all opposition, and the meeting be- 
came solemn. Magnified be the name of the Lord. 

In the afternoon we attended Portland meeting, which was 
large, and favored with renewed visitation. Second day we 
had a meeting at a place called Little Falls, and found a people 
who professed to be Friends ; but being wanting in the pos- 
session, it was hard getting along with them to satisfaction. 
We returned to Portland, and the day following attended their 
Monthly Meeting at Falmouth. I was silent in the meeting for 
worship ; in that for discipline, I had satisfactory service on 
the women's side, and made some remarks to the young menf 
which gave relief to my mind. 

The 22d we \i*ent to Durham, and attended their Monthly 
Meeting the next clay in suffering silence, for things were not 
in good order amongst them. In the last meeting, way opened 
to clear my mind in a plain way, but not very pleasing to all 
of them; yet the faithful being encourged and rejoiced, I got 
my penny of peace, and that satisfied me. The next meeting 
was at Lewistown, on 7th day. First day we were at Leeds ? 
the meeting was large and satisfactory. After meeting we rode 
to A\ inthrop ; here we found a little cornpam^ of goodly 
Friends, amongst rigid Presbyterians. 'We had a large, favored 
meeting here, to the rejoicing of the few, in that the Truth 
made its way over ail opposition. After this we went down 
the Kennebeck river to Dresden, and had a little meeting at 



128 JOURNAL OF 

George RamsdelFs. 29th, rode to Bristol and had a meeting 
there on 6th day, mostly of other societies. Here my mind 
was set at liberty ; the truth flowed freely, and settled on the 
minds of the people. May it last long to their comfort and 
durable good. Oh, good is the Lord to the children of men. 

On first day, the 1st of 8th month, we were at Camm ; had 
a considerable gathering of people too much at ease, and insen- 
sensible of their condition, taken up with the cares of the world ; 
the few well concerned had about enough to do, to keep their 
ground ; so that painful were my feelings and laborious my services 
among them; but through the mercies of Jehovah, ability was 
given to relieve my mind and pass from them in peace. Sec- 
ond day we rode to Kennebeck, and had a. meeting there on 
third day, with a number of sober looking people. I was fa- 
vored with a short, penetrating testimony, that seemed to reach 
the minds of the people, and gather them into seriousness of 
spirit- The meeting ended to my satisfaction. Blessed be the 
Most High. 

On the 5th of the month we were at Vassalborough East 
Pond meeting ; after sitting awhile leaning forward, suddenly 
I felt my mind in a state of stupor, almost to insensibility. I 
raised up, and looked over the meeting, and to my surprise, I 
really thought that one quarter of the people were nodding 
with sleep ; as one waked up, another would fall asleep ; the 
like I never saw before. At least one half of the meeting had 
taken a sound sleep. This discomposed me for preaching, and 
after sitting a long meeting, I arose with this remark, u I con- 
clude there are many who have come to meeting, expecting to 
hear a communicetion, but I think I should look like a fooL 
preaching to a parcel of people asleep, and I am sure I should 
feel like one." I then sat down and closed theineeting. Ben- 
jamin Worth, of that place, an aged minister, took me by the 
hand with these words, " Joseph, I am glad thou hast been 
favored to keep thy place to day." From this we went to Fair- 
field, and had a meeting, and returned to East Pond, to attend 
a meeting by appointment on first day afternoon ; many came 



JOSEPH HO AG. 129 

to it ; the life of pure religion appeared very low ; the Master 
of Israel's assemblies was pleased to favor the people with a 
plentiful shower of Gospel rain, that seemed to tender the 
earthly part, and somewhat broke it up ; may it prove to the 
lasting good of the people, and to the everlasting praise of the 
Most High, for He is worthy of it. On second day we were at 
Belgrade, and third day at Sidney. In both these meetings, 
the overspreading of Divine favor was felt in a renewed visita- 
tion to the people — may it prove a blessing to them, to the 
gathering to Shiloh's rest. 

Feeling now clear of these parts we returned to Portland and 
went to Samuel Hussey's, where I made my home, and was ta- 
ken as good care of as I could desire. Soon after coming 
there I was taken sick, so that i could not travel for some time ; 
but most of the time was able to sit a meeting* My compan- 
ion returned home ; we parted in mutual friendship. I attend- 
ed meetings steadily and passed four or five of them in silence, 
under great depression of spirit, until the last meeting I was at, 
where all present were members except one. The Lord show- 
ed in e that the cause of the distress I felt in their meetings, was, 
some of the heads of the people had drawn their swords on 
their fellows, who were better than themselves ; that they had 
disordered the flock, and confused the heritage of God, and if 
there was not a stopping, turning about, and withdrawing the 
band from oppressing the innocent, the Lord would arise and 
make bare His arm, He would' turn and overturn; there 
should be a cutting off to rise no more ; for the Lord would 
arise and support His dependent ones, I had to deliver it all 
in fall plain terms; felt u y mind folly relieved, and at liberty 
to depart. Tn about half an hour after tJ e close of the u eet- 
ing, I mounted my horse and rode several miles without look- 
ing back, or conversing with any, with my mind filled with 
peace and joy. I went to Falmouth Select Preparative Meet- 
ing, and attended the Monthly Meeting following. In the 
meeting for worship I was silent, and in that for business until 
near the close, I was constrained to stand up and tell them 



130 JOURNAL OF 

plainly how it appeared to me some of them had treated their 
friends ; that the Lord was not pleased with it, and in all their 
affected zeal and show, the Truth had not been advanced, but 
hurt, and the feelings of the pure in heart wounded. This ap- 
peared to offend several, notwithstanding it was acknowledged 
by Friends that it was so, and they all knew it. In this meet- 
ing it was shown me in clearness that I was at liberty to take 
my leave for home, with taking two meetings on my way — a 
joyful prospect. I informed my friends, and took a solemn 
farewell. On the 26th of the 8th month, in a feeble state of 
health, I rode to Livingston, twenty miles. 2 7th had a favored 
meeting there which seemed to revive my spirits a little. The 
28th I rode to Sandwich, New Hampshire, and attended their 
first-day meeting on the 29th, in which my mind was tried in 
a singular way for me, for after sitting a considerable time, it 
was made known to me that the people were waiting on me, 
and not on the Most High ; looking to me and not to the Lord, 
which would close my way and I must tell it to the people. The 
singularity of it tried my mind, but not feeling easy without do- 
ing it, I gave up, simply told them my feelings|and sat down ; 
but soon felt like a vessel pressed full, which wanted vent, and 
could not have it. In this suffering condition I had to sit as 
long as meetings commonly hold, until the people gave up their 
expectation of hearing preaching, and became quiet; then my 
way opened in a lengthy, searching testimony, that reached the 
witness for God in their minds, and broke them down to a ten- 
der feeling, and an acknowledgment of the truth. Oh ! may the 
Lord fasten the Truth in their hearts, as a nail in a sure place, 
and bless the service of the day to the people. 

The 30th of the 8th month I started for home, reaching 
there in three days, found my family well, and we were mutu- 
ally glad to see each other once more. 

The following occurrences took place during the foregoing 
journey : 

Abigail and her husband, with their adherents, (the 

woman who attacked me in the gallery, in my early travel in 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 131 

that part of the country,) entered a complaint against me for 
preaching false doctrine, and prophesying their downfall. This 
was when I was on my way for Portland the last time. - The 
Elders came apparently strong. I told them "It was happy for 
me that I remembered the subject well, and I thought I could 
repeat the discourse nearly verbatim, for it was a short one." 
I informed them of the subject, showed in what point of view 
I held it forth, and the language I closed with, and added this 
remark, "Who of you can say this is not truth !" They sat 
awhile, and the leading Elder said, "Joseph, I am glad to find 
thee on such good ground ; it is good sound doctrine ; I will 
not only acquit thee, but I will stand by thee. Do thee keep 
that ground, and thee will stand." And so we parted. The 

above named Abigail and her husband have since run 

into Eanterism, and are disowned by Friends. 

Shortly after this I stopped at Berwick on my way to Port- 
land. After meeting, four or five very grave-faced persons came 
to the house where I was, and with much affected sanctity, 
questioned me as to how I felt in the company of my intended 
companion. I answered, "Very well ; he appears an agreeable 
man." Question — "Dost thou feel no disagreeable feelings 
when in his company V I answered, "No, not at all." The 
reply was, "I marvel that such a great seer as thou art, can be 
with such a man and not feel him out. I answered, "Friends, 
I have no unity with your conduct ; neither do I think you are 
sound ; for was I such an one as you state, it is neither right 
nor wise to talk so in my hearing ; it has the appearance of 
flattery. And that is not all, I am but a man, and can only see 
the state of a meeting or an individual when my master gives 
me eyesight. So that it is not me but my master ; these things 
are at his disposal, and you ought to understand them, to be 
fit for judges. The reply was, "Well, we hope if thou does 
feel anything, thou wilt be faithful." I answered, "If I should 
feel anything I should strongly suspect it arose from what I 
have heard, and should be very cautious how I meddled. You 
have blocked up my way, and if there is anything needed to 



132 JOURNAL OF 

be done, you have got to do it. You ought never to treat any- 
one as you have treated me, for if there was anything in the 
way, you ought to have told him, he could not go without do- 
ing his part to remove the objection ; and if he did not do it, 
to have provided me with other company, and not let me know 
anything of the matter. You have had time enough, for some 
of you were sitting by when he offered his service, and I ac- 
cepted it. Some might be hurt by such treatment, and get off 
the right ground ; so that it is clear to me you are wanting in 
best wisdom. Have you told the Friend of this objection ?" 
The answer was, "No." Question — "Did you know of it as 
long ago as when he offered his service ? The answer was, 
"Yes." Question — "Why have you lain still V The answer 
was, "We feel very weak, and were in hopes thee would feel 
him out." I answered, "Friends, you are wrong; for the Great 
Master portioneth the work to every servant, and hand-maid, 
and gives them knowledge what his will is, and ability to do it. 
It is not reasonable to believe He will lay all the service on one 
servant ; for without His help they are no more than other 
men. And now, Friends, for you to want more laid on me than 
the Master has appointed, is not right; it is an evil covetous- 
ness, and your prayers are not granted, for I feel as though I 
had no business with the concern you want me to meddle 
with ; and you have got to clear my way." At this they seem- 
ed like people amazed. I then said, "Friends, you have said 
so much that I must know there is something the matter, and 
have you looked into the affair, so as to know whether there is 
a just cause for uneasiness or not? The answer was, "No." I 
then replied, "How do you know there is any just cause of 
complaint ; and if not, what ground is there for me to have any 
uneasy feelings with the Friend ? Now, Friends, I want you to 
see where you are. This Friend is in the station of an elder, 
and so are several of you ; and you are here holding up ideas 
of reproach against his character, and do not know whether 
there is any cause for it or not ; and that to a stranger who 
ought never to hear of it. It is evident you are very unsound 



JOSEPH HOAG. 133 

or very unfaithful to the righteous cause, and your brother, or 
both. I have no favorable opinion of such conduct ; I have no 
unity with it." 

Here again was a silence ; at length it was proposed for me 
to lay by a day or two, for them to look up company for me. 
I then told them I had been gone from home, going on two 
years. I left a wife in small circumstances, with a large family 
of children, in a poor log house, and that I did not feel easy to 
idle away one minute ; therefore, if they would provide me a 
pilot, if it was only a youngster, who knew the way to Portland, 
I would take up with it, but they must let the Friend know 
why he was rejected. They answered, we expect thee to do 
that. I told them, that I would not do, unless I had the lib- 
erty to make use of their names as 'the objectors, and to do it 
by their request, for in my feelings I had no objection. I then 
pressed them to go and see the Friend, as he was near by, but 
could not move them thereto. It was then proposed for me to 
go with him to Portland, and then dismiss him and send him 
home, and was asked if I would do it, I said, by your orders, 
and not without. I was answered, that would not do, for he 
would then take them in the discipline; but they thought I 
might tell him I was not easy to travel with him, for they did 
not see how I could feel easy knowing how they felt. I told 
them that part of their uneasiness, as respected themselves, I 
could tell him, but as to make any pretentions of uneasy feel- 
ings as my own, when it is not. so,, only to gratify your feelings, 
when vou do not know whether there is any just cause for 
those feelings or not, that would be playing the l^pocrite ; 
that I should not do for any of you. I shall act candid, open 
and honorable with all men ; my station calls for this, and as 
for making any pretentions of Divine impressions or revelations, 
when I did not feel it, it was in my opinon very near blasphe- 
my ; that, while I had my senses, I should never do ; and as for 
their exposing themselves to the discipline, they had already 
done it, was I to tell what they had said, and they had no 
way to get out unless they denied their own talk ; but that I 



134 JOURNAL OF 

was not disposed to do if they would treat the matter hoi 
ably with the Friend according to gospel order and provide me 
with company, I would go along quietly. They then concluded 
to go and see the Friend; but shortly returned and told me 
they did not see that they could attend to it, and had concluded 
to let the Friend go with me, but hoped I would see my way 
clear to dismiss him, after I got amongst Friends again. I then 
took up the subject. " Friends, you seem determined to [ 
me in a situation that you can criminate me or make me hurt 
myself; for look at it, for to send the Friend back, without 
good reasons — he comes back, he has his friends, and perhaps 
many of them ; he is a man of sense, and knows what good 
usage is ; his friends ask him why he returns so soon ; he an- 
swers, Joseph Hoag sent me home. "Where from ; ' As soon 
as I got to Portland. For what \ I do not know ; I went 
with him for the respect I had for him, and waited on him as 
well as I knew how, and did all I could to make him comforta- 
ble. "When I got there he told me to £o home, without a re:.- 
' son, only he was not free to travel with me. He tells this to 
his good friends, and perhaps these are one-half of your Month- 
ly Meeting. What would be the remark \ Why. I did not 
take Joseph Hoag to be such a man. He answers, neither did 
I ; but so it is. Xow see what a block this would put in tbeir 
minds, should I have a mind to come into this country again. 
What good would it do for me to preach to them \ I might 
as well preach to the stumps. "What excuse could I plead ] 
Could I say it was acting the Christian — doing as I would be 
done by ? Xo ! and you would not, neither, was you in his 
place. Is it acting the gentleman? Xo ! Is it acting the 
brother \ Xo ! Friends, this will not do. Xow take it on 
the other hand ; suppose it to be as you have stated, in the 
minds of many others, that I am a favored man, and a seer, 
and after I am gone there does actually come to light some 
conduct of his that is scandalous, what would be the language 
of these people \ Would it not be like this, how could that 
good man and great seer go off with that monstrous hypocrite 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 135 

and he have no sense of it ? Here you may see they are stag- 
gered and blocked up. Would not the result be, 0, I do not 
believe there is ^so much in religion as they tell of, and so the 
good is destroyed that they might have been benefitted by. 

This brought tears into some of their eyes, and they faithful- 
Iv promised me that if any of these occurrences take place that 
they would inform the people I had been long from home, and 
was in haste to get along ; there was no other to go, and 
it was a matter of necessity, and that my credit should not be 
hurt, and were willing the Friend should go with me ; and 
they hoped he would not be burdensome, and so w r e parted. 

The Friend went, I found him pleasant, agreeable, kind com- 
pany as my heart could desire. I never so much as hinted a 
word of this to him, but when we parted I looked him in the 
face and said, Peter, I want thee to keep thy eyes in thy own 
head, and take care how thee steps. He answered, I under- 
stand thee, and so we parted. He went home and found w r hat 
a report had gone abroad, and by whom. He took it up and 
made some of these very Friends go about the neighborhood 
and take back their own talk, and testify the report w*as false. 
That stilled and ended the uproar. 

Another that I have to record is, as I was passing through 
that Yearly Meeting, I often heard spo- 
ken of as the greatest minister in the Yearly Meeting — a 
man of great talents, and a fine man, which made me crave to 
get to his house as soon as I could. But alas ! when I got 
there I was plunged into such distress and darkness as I am 
not able to describe. I knew not what to think of myself, for I 
durst not think anything but good concerning him. When I 
went to his meeting the next day, it w 7 as hard enough, and 
seemed all dark; this puzzled me much. He offered to pilot 
us to several meetings, which I readily accepted, thinking I 
should have some good help. He preached at every meeting, 
but alas, I got no help, neither could I find where his preach- 
ing came from. I durst not think otherwise than that it w^as 
all good, and the fault was all in me, until I got so that I could 



136 JOURNAL OF 

hardly contain myself, my agony was so great. I went alone, 
and exclaimed in my heart, " Lord, have mercy, what have I 
done ? " And I was answered in as intelligible language as ever 
I heard vocally with my natural ear, " it is nothing thou hast 

done ; it is on account of that thy feelings are as they 

are, and thou hast got a close message to deliver to him for 
Me ; see that thou do it faithfully." This brought me very 
low ; it looked great, he being in high standing, and looked 
upon as a great man, but I durst not think of giving back ; the 
Lord had shown me what the message was, and I was afraid. 
I prayed the Lord to make and open a way, and give strength 

to do my duty. I think it was the next day entered 

into a long detail of the distressing days and nights he had 
passed through of late, so that he had almost despaired. After 
getting through he turned to me and said, " Joseph, what dost 
thou think of me % " I replied, "at a suitable time I am 
willing to tell thee." "We rode on until we came to a Friend's 
house. I soon gave a motion; we walked into a field and sat 
down. I soon began with these words, " I have un- 
dergone much exercise on thy account, and I believe it has 
been given to me to see in that light, in which there is no de- 
ception, how it is with thee. It appears to me thou hast been 
one that has been annointed with the royal oil, and has had an 
excellent gift in the ministry bestowed on thee, and has been 
promoted to ride the King's horse, and to be arrayed with the 
royal robe. The proclamation went forth, this shall be done 
to the man whom the King delighteth to honor. But when 
thou rode the King's horse, thou forgot to remember mercy. 
Thou hast put thy foot on the necks of those that were as right- 
eous as thou ever wast, and hast trodden them down. And 
thou may think it a favor, if thou art permitted to undergo 
enough to atone for the evil thou hast done to them that are 
as good as thyself. And if thou live through it, thou hast got 
to go over all the country, where thou hast put on these yokes 
and burdens, and take them all off. And if thou refuse to do this 
thou will be left to fall to the bottom of the hill and shall never 



JOSEPH HOAG. 137 

rise any more." He seemed to struggle under it a little while, 
then looked up and said, " thou art a stranger and I will not 
get angry with thee," arose, turned his back on me and walked 
to the house. In a short time we parted. I named one of the 
Friends he had trodden down ; the blood flashed in his face. I 

said in my heart, poor is gone, for warning he will not 

take. And it proved so. I have not seen him since to speak 
with him. Afterwards he took to ardent spirits, and in a very 
few years got so as to give way to immoral conduct, and used pro- 
fane language, for which he was taken up and was turned out ofHhe 
Select Meeting, and his ministry disowned ; but he begged so 
hard that after awhile Friends accepted an acknowledgement, 
and let him stand a member, atnd there he stands, his credit 
and influence lost, and is at the bottom of the hill. 

I have written these accounts, my children, for you to look 
at, believing the circumstances are such that if you will read 
candid, and think on them seriously, they will afford useful and 
comfortable instruction several ways, through life, and to your 
children after you. 

Here I close my account of this long journey in which I had 
to pass through many deep tribulations, and witnessed the 
Lord to be my helper in every needful time, and in the might 
of His strength I was enabled to run through the troops that I 
met with, and to leap the walls of opposition that were raised in 
my way. Glory, honor and everlasting praise, be ascribed to 
the Holy name of the great King of Heaven, for all His mer- 
cies that endure forever. 

I think best to relate two occurrences that took place while 
I was at Nova Scotia. The first was in a short time after I left 
Halifax. There came a message to me to know if five hundred 
pounds Halifax money, a good sized house, well furnished, a 
cow, kept the year round, and brought to my door to be 
milked, and a horse and chaise the year round, at my com- 
mand, with all my wood cut at the door, and at the close, I 
was earnestly desired to let them know if the salary was 
enough to make me satisfied to come and settle with them. 
9 



138 JOURNAL OF 

This brought a close trial over my mind ; not that the offer 
was any temptation any more than the dust I trod on, but how 
to get along with the business, and not hurt the people, nor the 
good cause. But, beyond my expectation, way opened to give 
them my reasons why I could not comply with their desire, in 
so plain a way, they understood me, and in that pleasant way, 
that they took no offence, and we parted very friendly. 

The other was in another part of the country. They offered 
me a farm of five hundred acres of land, sixty acres under good 
improvement, with a good house and barn on it, for one hundred 
pounds, and they would furnish it with five cows and a yoke of 
oxen, a span of horses, and all farming utensils ; and all these I 
should have at my own price, and from seven to fifteen years to. 
pay it in, and without interest. And they thought I might ac- 
cept this offer, for it would not be taking a reward for preaching, 
but only accepting a chance that would put me in a situation 
that I could attend to my duty without being embarrassed, or my 
family suffering want. This, I had much more of a task to open 
in all its bearings, so that they could clearly understand me, and 
to show them in what point of view I stood, and the difference 
between their views and mine ; and when they understood, 
they acknowledged that I could not accept it, and they be- 
lieved I was sincere, and they must give it up ; but they were 
sorry. So we parted very friendly and loving, which I thought 
a great favor. 



CHAPTER V. 

I now return to the time of my setting out on my jourfcSj to 

New England and the British Provinces in 1801, at which 
time we had two candid, faithful overseers, their standing faith- 
ful with a few other Friends, for the support of order and dis- 
cipline, and being opposed by others often made hard getting 
along ; the latter, who complained of discipline doing hurt, 
would oppose in nearly every case, taking up or calling to an 
account any of our members for evil conduct. One of these 
overseers took a piece of work to do for two men, (zealous 
members of the Methodist Society), to the amount of sixty 
dollars. They acknowledged the work was done to their full 
satisfaction, but when the Friend called for his money they ut- 
terly refused to pay him. The Friend urged his claim, upon 
which they went to the Friends who opposed discipline. The 
latter went to the Friend, (two of them being Elders who had 
been brought over to the libertine sentiment), and ordered him 
to give up his demand, He asked, for what ? They said the 
men would not pay it ; and if he contended for it, it would 
make a great noise, and that would be a scandal to society. He 
let them know he should venture that. They then told him if 
he did not comply with their orders, be peaceable, and say no 
more about it, they would cany a complaint against him for 
being contentious, and refusing the advice of Friends ; and ac- 
cordingly did so, but could not make their matters work, till 
they charged the Friend with disunity. In this plausible way 
they got him and his associate dismissed from being overseers, 
and had two appointed of their own choosing who presented a 
complaint that was never supported, and got it into the meet- 



140 JOURNAL OF 

ing, and a committee appointed. By this time the Monthly 
Meeting was about equally divided and all in an uproar. The 
committee was as equally divided, being two on each side, and 
so it was continued until my return, the Friend still insisting 
on having a hearing, and his evidence heard, as his witnesses 
were credible persons, stating he could prove the charges false. 

Two of the committee absolutely insisted that there should 
be no proof heard, neither should they be suffered to speak 
against what the Elders had stated. The other two were as 
absolute on the other side, as to the Friend having his rights. 
But in order to carry their point, they got a Baptist man to 
take up the business as his own, who in truth, was not present, 
and knew nothing of the bargain, only what the Methodists 
told him, and then brought them in for witnesses, so by false 
witness they so placed the business that the Friend could not 
recover. He brought forward one witness who stated the truth, 
and told Friends and others concerned, that he had another 
which he should produce before the business ended. They 
wanted to know who that witness was, but the Friend would 
not tell them. (I being the other witness and absent from 
home on Truth's service, was the reason of his declining to tell 
them who his other witness was, thinking it might unprofitably 
embarrass me if I was written to on the subject, and he chose 
to wait for my return.) 

The next day, I think, after I got home, one of the Elders 
came to my house and stated to me that the Friend was a won- 
derful liar, and it was proved by the two Methodists he had 
called on for payruemt, but the Baptist man had the business, 
and the Friend had to look to him for it. I asked the Elder 
how he knew that ? He said it was all proved by th# two 
Methodists. I asked if they had no other evidence ? He an- 
swered, No. I asked what they stated, and he told me. I 
then asked what the Friend stated ; he told me. I asked if 
the Friend had no evidence? He said, yes, one, and said he 
had another, but does not produce him, or tell who he is, and 
by such kind of equivocation and lying, he deceives many 



JOSEPH HOAG. 141 

Friends, and we cannot disown him. I am glad thon hast got 
home. I hope thou wilt help us. By this time I felt poorly. 
I began to see how the situation of affairs stood. I then looked 
on the Elder, and remarked, that the Baptist had no more 
business with it than he, or any other man ; that the Friend 
had stated the truth, and his witness had stated the truth, and 
that those men had falsely sworn money into their own pock- 
ets, for they were the men who employed the Friend, and the 
money was due from them ; for I was the other witness, and 
there were no others by, when the agreement was made, but 
myself and the other witness, excepting the parties. The El- 
der looked at me with a stern countenance, and with a strong 
voice, said, "Joseph, do thou' never tell this again, for thou 
art now in unity with Friends, and if thou tell this, thou wilt 
lose thy unity with Friends and never travel any more." I re- 
plied, what didst thou ever see in me to make thee think that 
the fear of man could induce me to withhold the truth in a 
case of suffering innocence. No, Friend, if I am called on in 
this case I shall tell the truth before any tribunal. At this an- 
swer he seemed offended and left me ; but when I came to the 
Monthly Meeting I found it in such a state as I never saw a 
meeting in before. 

When this subject came before the meeting, I requested to 
have it lie over one month, that I might have an opportunity 
to see the committee, and those who had acted in the case, to- 
gether with the Friend, which was strongly objected to by the 
Elder, and several others, and he, in a taunting manner held 
up, that public Friends had no business to meddle with disci- 
pline, neither with contention between members in any case, 
and gave me a severe reprimand. This grated my feelings, 
and I returned a warm reply, which silenced him and his abet- 
tors, but this did not do the meeting or me any good. I had 
to suffer for it, but the meeting laid the business over. Yet I 
was not allowed the opportunity I requested. This so tried 
my feelings that a little before the next Monthly Meeting, I 
took my horse and went away, to be absent at that time, but 



142 JOURNAL OF 

there being so many dissatisfied, the meeting put it over again. 
This brought them to, and when I came to open all I knew, 
and give the business a fair statement, and show them what 
could be supported, a number of them who had been drawn 
into a party, backed out, which so far started them that they 
proposed a trial for settlement. I advised the Friend to ease 
away all he could consistently, and after several hours, it was 
brought to a settlement, all persons excepting one member, 
agreed that they would be satisfied ; although the Friend did 
not obtain his right as he ought. But when the monthly 
meeting came, the committee would not report, though they 
were present at the settlement, and all agreed to it but one. 
In this way it was continued for several months. The meeting 
grew uneasy, took the business up, and appointed a second 
committee to call on the first, and find their reasons for not 
complying with the meeting's directions; also to search into 
the business and report. The latter committee attended 
strictly to directions, and reported, (two of the former commit- 
tee uniting with them), that they were satisfied with what the 
Friend had done. The other two reported they had visited 
him to no satisfaction ; but the meeting chose to receive the 
report of the second committee, and put an end to the 
business. This so vexed them, that they pursued him and 
others, who were disposed to maintain discipline, as it ought 
to be, that they kept murmuring, and complaining against dis- 
cipline, and would spiritualize it into any meaning they wanted, 
and in this way they disordered our meeting at times for twen- 
ty years. 

At length there was a difficulty between two Friends, in a 
neighboring meeting. The case came to the Quarterly Meet- 
ing, where a committee of seven was appointed, of which I was 
one. We agreed to pay no attention to reports, or parties, 
but to go into the merits of the case by proof, and we kept to 
it with a steady eye, to close the business with truth and jus- 
tice, and let each party make the best defense they could by 
proof. The Friend who had been harrassed so much in our 



JOSEPH IIO AG. 143 

Monthly Meeting, was the first who was brought on for a wit- 
ness in this ease. His testimony appeared clear and correct, 
but was denied by one, until it w T as confirmed by several of the 
first characters ; then he gave it up, and owned that the testi- 
mony was truth. Of course, judgment went against him. This 
offended some of his party so much, that they advised their 
fellow to refuse compliance, and accordingly he did so. 

There being a committee appointed by the Yearly Meeting, 
to visit the Monthly Meetings, and labor for the support of dis- 
cipline, they eame while things were in this unsettled state. 
They did not go into the merits of the difficulty, but insisted 
that all should be dropped wiiere it was, and be at peace. I 
told them that would not do, for there was a company that al- 
ways had been contentious, and sought to hurt those who were 
concerned to support discipline ; but they would not believe 
me, and quashed the business until they got out of sight. It 
was but a short time before the person, failing in all his attacks, 
got another member to join with him. They persuaded a 
Methodist to enter a complaint for perjury against the first wit- 
ness in the above case, and that they would support it. They 
prevailed with him and attested enough to obtain an indict- 
ment. It went into the Court, and was not decided for more 
than two years, and there, in the Supreme Court, the Friend 
brought on his witnesses, and I being one of them, gave good 
attention. I heard these two members whose testimonies ob- 
tained the indictment, and one more member, come forward 
and give in testimony to support the indictment, under affirm- 
ation as false as false could be. Then there were five other 
members called up, w r ho felt it our duty to tell the truth. This 
led to expose the whole business, before a great body of peo- 
ple. The Friend was cleared by public proclamation. There 
were others standing by who could witness what the five testi- 
fied, but the Judge would have no more witnesses, and ex- 
claimed, "You cannot criminate the prisoner at the bar, and 
why will you try ? Here are live witnesses of the first charac- 
ter, and we know them, and they agree ; they tell one thing, 



144 JOURNAL OF 

and neither two of you agree:" then exclaimed, "Monstrous ! 

there is a monstrous mistake made by some of you.' ? 

I have given the particulars, finding some of that class had 
reported that the indictment was never fairly tried, which is 
entirely false, except that the Friend indicted was stopped from 
bringing all his witnesses, and they brought all they had. This 
decision very much put a stop to the libertine class, and we 
had much more peaceable times. 

I shall now relate some of the conduct and events that fol- 
lowed the two overseers who carried in the complaint against 
the Friend, They both were men in good circumstances as to 
a living, and one a thriving man ; but soon after they took 
their stand they began to go down, and in a few years became 
very poor, and every way they seemed to be blasted, and at 
last were both disowned. Their families are gone from Friends 
also, and parents and children are gone from good Hving, and 
good credit, to poverty and want, and have taken their rank 
amongst the libertine rabble of the world. I note these events, 
my children, for your instruction, knowing them to be true, in 
hopes they will be precepts to guard you from being drawn 
into a fixed belief, by hearing one side, either against, or in fa- 
vor of a person, or cause, until you know the truth to the bot- 
tom, and see what justice and truth are : then, abide by that 
standard, without fearing man ; then you will always have the 
Lord on your side, who will uphold the innocent, and rebuke 
the guilty ; as I have seen in this case, in several instances. 
The two before mentioned Methodists, were men of handsome 
property, and of good credit in the world: now one of them is 
as poor, as he well can be. having become a drunkard, and 
acknowledges that a blast and a curse, has followed him ever 
since, for his conduct to the Friend. The other who was 
so spiteful, but who wen: hand-in-hand to defraud the Friend, 
has run down, and is brought into straitened circumstances; 
and things seem continually going against him. He has con- 
fessed that he always knew, that the Friend was wronged. The 
Baptist was a man of heavy property, but in a few years was so 



JOSEPH HO AG. 145 

run, as to be confined in jail for debt for several years, and 
died a prisoner, leaving the most of bis family very poor, and 
bis estate deeply in debt. The libertine class, by out-door com- 
plaining, and telling pitiful tales, affecting grief with sanctimo- 
nious countenances, drew in many honest-hearted Friends, to 
their own hurt. This they did at home and abroad, while the 
upright felt bound not to tattle or speak evil of any ; and it 
appeared the libertines thought they had a great advantage ; 
and they made use of it ; but it all failed them. The truth at 
last had the victory. Those who were drawn in, fared with the 
rest. There was one who had a fine gift in the ministry, very 
acceptable to his friends ; but when he sallied off with the con- 
tentious, his gift dwindled away, and ceased to be ; and he be- 
came a poor, sleepy, thing, appearing like the heath in the desert. 
So we may see that being deceived will not excuse us ; for the God 
of all grace, gives a sufficient measure of Light and Truth, which 
if kept to, with a single eye, will preserve us from all'deception, 
and enable to see it, and through it, and will bind the mind to 
the law, and testimony, of the Spirit of Life ; where He sustain- 
eth those who put their whole trust in him, even when the 
mighty billows pass over the head, can my soul truly say. 

Here I close this disagreeable account, having lived to see 
the rise, progress and fall of those who arose against truth and 
order. I now have to acknowledge, that it was of the Lord's 
mercies, who upheld and sustained His little ones, through all 
this fiery trial. Blessed be His holy name, and exalted be His 
power and goodness over all forevermore. 

In the year 1804 I felt drawings of Gospel love, to visit the 
scattered Friends and others, in the eastern parts of my own 
Quarterly Meeting. I obtained the unity of my Friends, and 
attended the Quarterly Meeting in the 11th month, at Danby ; 
went from there to Easton, and attended their Monthly Meet- 
ing ; the day following I was at Saratoga Monthly Meeting, 
where I had to bear a close, searching testimony, found things 
much out of order and a great want of love and good will 
among them. The next first-day I was at Galway Meeting. 



146 JOURNAL OF 

It was large and favored with the over-sha do wings of good. 
On second-day I attended their Monthly Meeting where I found 
it my place to be a silent preacher. This sometimes is better 
for the people than words. Third-day, I had an appointed 
meeting at Upper Greenfield, where I had to exhort the peo- 
ple in moving language, to be faithful to the knowledge already 
received, as the only way to grow in grace and in the saving 
knowledge of the Lord. That evening I had a meeting at the 
house of Israel Kelsey, a few miles from Friends ; a crowded 
meeting and favored time. The next, I was at Queensbury, 
and fell in with Asa Smith, on the same route. After maMno* 
our visit here, we went to Chester, where there are a few 
Friends, and had a meeting with them, also two, among a com- 
pany of rigid Baptists in that part of the country. It 
was heavy getting along with them. "We took our depar- 
ture, and went to Granville, by the way of Queensbury; were 
at Granville Preparative Meeting, where I saw no room to 
preach to them, neither did Asa communicate much ; it seemed 
a closed up, suffering time. From here we went to Danby, 
were at their Monthly Meeting. Here we were nearly united 
in close, plain labor, with a people much like some formerly, 
who believed they were rich and lacked nothing; wise and 
able to judge those, who were of the synagogue of Satan, when 
in truth, they were so in the spirit of the world, and pursuit of 
its riches, that they knew not how they were blinded, or how 
naked they appeared, in the sight of the Searcher of all hearts ; 
or that they had fallen from then first love ; therefore, they 
were not willing to part with their possessions, to buy soft rai- 
ment or gold tried in the furnace, that they might be rich. 
Though the exercise and labor were painful, and deep sorrow 
was our lot ; yet good was the Lord, who gave strength to la- 
bor, so as to feel clear of them, and the evidence of "well done" 
was felt. 

First day, the 2d of 12th month, we had a meeting near the 
Creek ; many came to it not of our Society, and many young 
people. The Lord had compassion on them ; He brake the 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 147 

bread, and fed them to the full. Oh, that they would gather 
up the fragments, and let nothing he lost. On second day, we 
rode to Mount Holly, and third day, visited the families of that 
little meeting. On fourth day we attended the meeting there, 
the well-springs of life were low, and sorrow was our bitter 
meat at this place, on the account of unfaithfulness ; we were 
grieved, as it was a stumbling block to others. Here our labors 
together closed, Asa feeling easy to go home, we parted in 
mutual friendship on the sixth of the 12th month. 

I went for "Weston, and got there in the evening; stopped 
and had a small meeting at Land Grove, and another at Weston ; 
in both ability was given to do the work of the day. The 9th 
and first of the week, we had .a meeting in Deny, at the house 
of Samuel Arnold, who was a well behaved man, and entertained 
us kindly. The meeting was large — the people sat soberly — 
gave good attention, and appeared to be well satisfied. The 
evening following, I had a meeting near Andover, amongst a 
people who sought to get to heaven an easier way than by the 
Cross of Christ ; preferring ease, to faithfulness to known duty. 
I had to proclaim the notable day of the Lord, which would 
shake all false rests, and search out all false coverings. The 
next, we went to Ludlow, and had a meeting at the house of a 
family by the name of Havens. It was not large, yet it was a 
favored meeting, and much rejoiced some tender, seeking minds. 
The Friend, who had been with me several days, left me, and 
Anthony Nichols took his place. ' I was glad of Ms company. 
We went to Hanover and got to John W T illiams' on the 12th. 
The 13th we had a large meeting in the neighborhood; the 
people were civil, and the Lord gave strength for the day, and 
utterance for the time. I was enabled to bear a clear, faithful 
testimony, to and for the Truth, amongst a mixed multitude. 
The meeting ended quietly, and the people retired with a sober 
countenance. The 14th we rode to Stafford, and went to Al- 
exander Presson's. The 15th we had a meeting in that neigh- 
borhood. 



148 JOURNAL OF 

On first day, the 16th, we had a meeting at Timothy Blake's, 
In both the above meetings, close, plain labor, was rnv lot, 
amongst a people who had known better days than they now 
enjoy. In the evening we had a meeting at Preserved Taff's. 
It was full and richly favored with a renewed and tendering 
visitation to the people of that place. Oh ! may it not be like 
the early dew, that soon passes away. The 17th we had a 
meeting at Matthew Hemnton's. More people came in than 
I expected, it being a windy day, and the snow new much. 
This was a season of mourning. There had once been a Friend's 
Meeting kept in these parts, in a hopeful state ; but they not 
being enough on their guard, got into contention, and their* 
meeting dropped. The old fire had not yet gone out. I had 
to labor close and plain with them ; cleared my mind and felt 
well relieved. 1 8th, parted with Anthony Nichols, in good 
unity, he wanting to go home. The 19th, I started with Tim- 
othy Blake, for Charleston, in New Hampshire, to answer a re- 
quest of George Churchman, and with one day's search found 
all that could be found, of what he wanted, and sent it to him. 
The 21st we returned to John Williams', in Hanover. The 
22d we had a meeting near the College, at the house of Ezekiel 
Baldwin. To it came a number who were high in their feel- 
ings, and full of high notions. This brought deep exercise over 
my mind, until the Lord of Hosts was pleased to send forth his 
word with power, and his Truth, in clearness, which made its 
way and prevailed. Their partition walls gave way; their high 
feelings came down, and Truth reigned, to the praise of the 
name of the Most High. First day, the 23d, I had a meeting 
in the East part of Hanover, and a number of seeking people 
came to it. I felt the Gospel to flow to them, and it settled on 
them as the dew, to the tendering of many minds. May the 
Lord bless the favor of the day to them, and hold them as in 
the hollow of His hand. The 24th, we retained to Timothy 
Blake's. The 25th, had a meeting at Benjamin Folsom's, in 
Tunbridge, where, after having a favored, solid meeting, and 
closed the same, they being what is called Xew Lights, went 



JOSEPH HOAG, 149 

into their manner of worship, for several hours. They soon 
destroyed all the precious life that had been felt in the meeting 
before. It being evening, I had nowhere else to go, and had 
to stay, see and hear it all. They kept the noise agoing until 
they wearied themselves. They then went off by .one and two, 
and tapered off until there were none left. I had some discourse 
with Folsom on the subject, but he insisted it was perfectly 
right. I had a wearisome night, and was glad when morning 
came. I pitied them, and left them. The 26th, I rode to Ezra 
Sleeper's, in Corinth, and had a large, favored meeting at his 
house. The power of the Lord was felt to be over all. The 
27th had another meeting in Corinth. It was also large, and a 
favored, humbling time. The 28th, 1 I had a meeting at Chelsea, 
and had the company of the high and gay. I had to come to 
close, plain work, and was strengthened through Divine Mer- 
cy, to perform the service of the day, to the relief and peace of 
my mind. 

The 29th, I rode to Montpelier. First day, the 1 3th, attended 
that meeting, in which I had close labor, and felt well satisfied. 
31st, I had another small meeting in Montpelier; after that I 
felt clear to look towards home, where I arrived the 2d of 1st 
month, 1805, and found my family well, to my comfort. 

In the year 1806, a prospect opened with weight on my 
mind, to visit the meetings of Friends in the south and east 
parts of our Yearly Meeting. I opened it in the Monthly 
Meeting, and had their consent. The 7th of the 2d month, I 
left home, with Nicholas Battey for a companion, and went to 
Danby, and on first day, the 9th, sat through the meeting in 
deep suffering, with sealed lips. We had an appointed meeting 
in the afternoon, in the Valley, where way opened to get relief. 
The comforting presence of the Lord was felt to crown the 
meeting. The 10th, we rode to Easton. The 11th, I attended 
our Select Quarter, where we had the company of Mary New- 
bold and Elizabeth Coleman, two goodly ministers from Bur- 
lington, New Jersey. We had a favored Quarterly Meeting, 
and from it I went to White Creek, and on the 14th had a la- 



150 

bemms mmtimg there. having t: emammr: e :m. real a w-hmm 
I wa= mercifully he ei :: rehear : ~e la 1 ■ 
-aimed On the loth, we :/e to Adams. 16th. v 
: 1 their first day meeting, where. after sirring ee; length 
of time under deep exercise, and mneh mrimmahres^ 
way opened in Gospel light and life, to deliver a tesrimeny 
whi:h much relieved my mind, and was a ■: rmrhrt and satisfac- 
tion to my friends. Pde then went to Han:; ;m. whei 



rael's King. After it. we we 




to Jc 


mn " 




n s tor tne urgut. 


ana am. a mrge ramuy ,_■: e 


i . m ap. ma tie 


evening, we had a soimnn. te: 




erang 


°?P 


: mam 


aty m tne fammy. 


much to the satisfaction of a 


ae 


r ere: 


rts. 2. 


md s 


veer a earn m my 


mfub ISth. we pas- m m : 


:o 


XcTT 


Brit 




aawhrg John Cor- 


ma: ear phot. Tun was 


a 


m: _ 2 


r:a 


rtrna 


The 19th. we 


na a a a:ta. at mmamu: 




mam 


was 


alse 


> large. In both 


these meetings. I ha a pain: 










mm r mn :n c : a 


worldly spirit and mammal! 


en 




a rug 


I ri- 


a :1s — states hard 


to t nam. I pause:! :aem the" 


- 


with 


a a: 






i_e _ 1st. wt mm a Lcra 


--3 


an ^_ 






mi m was a laiure 


muhuum: and : :1: udv ex- 










aemg tae mam 


tna: t_ ere was ureat ecumoess 


in the 


mm 


ds of 


ay : yet they 


wonld come t :■ me miners wher 


. s: 






iccfvl 


ant, 1 m mam 


Divine m: ; iness. ability was 


gi 








airhrla t rstim :mv, 


whim mrve me rah relied ( 


a a 


tne 


22 a . 




led to mane 


Nine Partners. First lav f 












The a^rlr. ml ma 












memtina a: the Creek — mv m 


al- 




ce. 


Tne 


2 I'm. la a d r mea:- 


ing at Cranio Elbow. From 










t : Pummlm mule. 


an 1 had a satisfactory meet: 










In ; : 


am:- heart : ma; anna exe 
ly spa ate of ease 








- : 


a: 1; 

e ascendency 


in many minis, that :: m ; t 












he ope inss of mv 










jss, I found a 



JOSEPH HO AG. 151 

peace. I had now and then to drop the language of encour- 
agement, to the honest and upright ; this was pleasant. We 
had a meeting in Pleasant Valley, a comfortable time, the 
meeting ended sweetly. The 1st of 3d month, we had a meet- 
ing at the West Branch, Oswego. First day, the 2d, we at- 
tended Nine Partners meeting, where I had to come to plain 
work amongst the great ones, and had peace in obedience. On 
2d day, we had a meeting at Old Oswego, and the day follow- 
ing at Apoquague. Here I had to see the ways of Zion mourn, 
and to mourn with her, in seeing her walls trodden down, by 
some who ought to have been repairers of her breaches. 

We were next at the Ridge meeting. From there we went to 
the Little meeting, West Branchy Oblong, and proceeded to 
West Hartford, Connecticut, and attended their meeting. We 
found them in a tried situation, on account of some who had 
dissented from them, and were disposed for clamour. Not 
feeling easy to leave, we staid until after their Monthly Meeting, 
and then passed on to New Milford, got there on the 13th and 
had a meeting with them on the 14th. There were many 
present who were not of our society. It was a time of favor ; 
many minds were tendered, and brought to remember " the 
rock from whence they were hewn, and the hole of the pit from 
whence they were digged," and to acknowledge to the Truth ; 
may it prove a time of profitable planting to that people. 

The 15th, we rode to Middlesex, and the 16th, the first of 
the week, notice being given, there came in a number of sober 
countenanced people, for whom I nearly felt — it being a day of 
favor — for the inhabitants of that part of the country are so in- 
fested with hireling priests, that if a little light break forth 
amongst the people, they bestir themselves to cast a veil over 
it, so that it seemed mournful, and I pitied the people. 17 th, 
we crossed the East River, at Rye Ferry, and went to Stephen 
Titus', and being much unwell,. I stopped until after their 
Monthly Meeting at Westbury, on the 19th, where, not finding 
any commission to preach, I passed the meeting in silence. 
20tb, we attended Jericho Monthly Meeting, where I had a 



152 JOURNAL OF 

short, close testimony, and was well rewarded by my Good 
Master. 21st, we had a meeting at Matinicock. Here, having 
a clear, extensive opening, on a deep subject, I mused on it 
and put it off, until I lost the right time and best strength, and 
thereby wounded myself and hurt the meeting, and had to 
suffer deeply for it. The next meeting was at Cow Neck, and 
having learned by the things I had suffered, I endeavored to 
mind my Master's business more attentively, and was favored 
to get through the service of the day to good satisfaction to 
myself and Friends. 23d, first day, we were at Flushing, where 
it pleased the Master of Israel's assemblies to lift up the light 
of His countenance, and raise the standard of Truth, and set 
its dominion over all. After this meeting, I felt arrested to go 
into New York City, and appoint a meeting for second day 
evening the 24th, at Pearl street meeting house. This brought 
close exercise, as I never had appointed a meeting in the city ; but 
seeing no way to turn to the right or left hand, I gave up, went 
to the city, and opened my prospect to Friends. They strug- 
gled under it for awhile, and proposed several alterations. I 
let them know I could not turn to the right hand or left. I 
could give it up and go along, but to alter, I could not. They 
did not choose to take the burden off me, so complied with 
my prospect, and informed the people. It was thought that 
more than two thousand people collected, and He who required 
the appointment, furnished with matter, and gave ability and 
utterance sufficient for the day ; favoring with His holy solem- 
nity, which covered and crowned the meeting, to the joy of 
many hearts, and the satisfaction of Friends in general. The 
meeting closed with thanksgiving and praise, to the Most High 
God, for His present and past favors, with an humble prayer for 
a continuation of His mercies that endure forever. 

Third day, the 25th, we rode to Westchester, and stopped 
with Thomas Walker and wife, where we found kind reception. 
Next day, attended that meeting, and though a stormy day, it 
was pretty full, and a favored, satisfactory meeting ; after which, 
we rode to New Rochelle, and lodged with Joseph Bownc ? 



JOSEPH HOAG. 153 

where we were kindly treated. 27th, we were at Mamaroneck 
meeting. Here, rinding my mind led into different subjects, I 
was thoughtful to close in good season ; but after sitting down, 
I did not feel that clear quiet which I commonly feel when I 
time it right ; but being unwilling to rise again, or kneel — for 
my mind was arrested with both — I sat until it wore off, and 
then broke the meeting. After I got out, an Elder came and 
took me by the hand and said, " Joseph, thou hast been preach- 
ing to others to be faithful to their gifts ; hast thou been faith- 
ful to thine ? I confess I did not expect the meeting to end 
so," and turned away. Though I did not expect to be found 
out in that way, I was glad to meet with such honesty from 
the Friend. 

We went on to Harrison's Purchase, where we stopped until 
first day ; we attended that meeting, according to prospect, and 
had another in the evening at North Castle. In both these 
meetings ability and utterance were given to bear a faithful tes- 
timony against the unlawful love of the world, the love of ease 
and carnal security, and I felt comforted in the quiet I enjoyed. 
The next meeting was at Shapaqua. Here I had to put on my 
mourning garment, and call on the Ministers of the Lord, to 
weep between the porch and the altar. The day following, we 
were at Croton Valley. Here we had a comfortable meeting, 
with a little company of well concerned Friends. We 
passed from this k> Amawalk, where we had a serious, good 
meeting, and then went to Cortland's Manor, near the mouth 
of Croton, and had a meeting there to good satisfaction. We 
passed on to Peekskill, and had a meeting in the evening, where 
I remembered the apostle, who felt a necessity to labor in 
weakness and fear. After this, we went to West Point, and 
crossed the river and mountains to Cornwall, to see my aged 
friend, David Sands, who had lately returned from a long re- 
ligious visit in Europe. We found him cheerful, enjoying the 
rich sheaves of a well gathered harvest. While here, I felt ar- 
rested to have a meeting at Newburgh. It kept with me with 
weight, and I saw no better way than to open it to Friends, 
10 



154 JOURNAL OF 

who seemed not opposed to it. It was agreed on : we set out 
with a young; friend to pilot and assist us. After we got into the 
road, it was shown me. in great clearness, that the offering was 
accepted — the will was fully taken for the deed — and I was at 
liberty to 2:0 home— a joyful release. TTe dismissed the young 
man and went forward for home, and made no stop except for 
rest, etc., until we got to Troy, where we stopped to their first 
day meeting — to me a refreshing time, the living presence of 
the Lamb of God was felt to be in the midst, sweetly giving 
strength for every good word and wort. I being unwed, and 
the weather unfavorable, we got .no farther than Granville by 
4th day. We stopped and attended that meeting. In it I 
had satisfactory service. This was the last meeting we attended 
in this journey. From here we went direct home: got there 
the 18th of the 4th month, and found my family well, and* 
orlad to see me return. 

On the 7th of 5th month. 1807, I set out to perform a visit 
to Friends of "Upper Canada, and Farmington Quarter, in com- 
pany with Valentine Header, (my son-in-law), and Nathaniel 
Austin. VTe went to Peru on seventh day, and attended that 
meeting on first day. the Sth. The 9th we had a meeting in 
the town of Jay. about twenty miles up the river An Sable. 

10th, we had a meeting on the west : : of said river: both 

of them small meetings, amongst a careless. who 

cared very little about religion : so that it see 
the wind, to preach to them. 11th, we : ; .ting in Ches- 

terfield, to good satisfaction: the people were attentive, open and 
tender. 12th, we attended meeting at Pt aere I had 

extensive labor, and was much relieved in mind. In the after- 
noon, we had a favored, satisfactory meeting, two or three 
north of Friend's meeting house. On the 13th we set forward 
for Upper Canada, traveled seventy mile- through a wilderness 
almost without inhabitants, the road new and miry, so that it 
took us two days and a half to gain Salmon Fiver, where there 
is a newish settlement, mostly Scotch, and finding no way to 
cross the river St. Lawrence until second day. the 16th, we lay 



JOSEPH HOAG. 155 

at one Comon's, who went with us across the river, and landed 
us in Charlottebury. We rode eight miles and took dinner in 
Camwell, and on the 17th and 18th traveled to Elizabethtown, 
staid with Matthew Howard for the night, and were kindly en- 
tertained. We had a meeting in this settlement. The people 
were civil and quite attentive, and appeared well satisfied ; 
thence to Gershom Wing's, (a Friend), twelve miles ride, where 
we had another meeting. It was a favored, tendering time. 
May the hand of the Lord be over that people for good ! 

After this we journeyed through a long wilderness for Kings- 
ton ; the weather being rainy, and the roads new, we, and the 
horses were much fatigued, but were favored to get through in 
good season on the 21st, and went to the Wiaow Brewer's, in 
Kingston, where we were kindly received. First day, 22d, we 
attended the little meeting there, which was painful, on account 
of the want of true zeal and faithful obedience to the knowledge 
already received by some of their members. I had to come to 
plain work, and found peace in being faithful. Not feeling 
clear, I appointed another meeting at the 4th hour in the after- 
noon, at the same place, which was trying to an hair's breadth. 
The people being uneasy and restless, it seemed hard getting 
into the quiet, or a suitable preparation either for worship or 
service. Thus tried, I sighed to the Lord, and breathed in the 
growings of spirit, that He would arise for the help of the 
needy, and order the battle of the day. He was pleased to 
still the bustle in a marvelous manner, and open the spring of 
life in the needful time, so that the testimony of Truth went 
forth in clearness and living authority, to the breaking down 
of the strongholds of opposition for that time. Blessed be the 
mighty power of the Lord forevermore ! 

The 23d, we rode to Adolphus town, and went to John Dor- 
ian's — an old friend of my father's — where we were cordially 
received. 24th, had a meeting with Friends there. Xext day, 
we attended their usual meeting, with them, and in the after- 
noon had a meeting with those not of our Society. We next 
had a meeting across the Point, in the Court House. In both 



156 J0UKXAL OF 

tliese meetings the people were sober and attentive, and parted 
with ns respectfully. From here, we crossed the Bay to a set- 
tlement of Friends at Anieliasburg, where we had a large, fa- 
vored meeting, for the place, and I passed on cheerfully. Sev- 
enth day, we rode to TTestlake, and put up at a Friend's house. 
There soon came in a number of people. I felt that I could 
not stay in the house in peace. The sun was all of two hours 
high when T walked into the woods, and did not return until 
after dark, when I found the house clear of the company. The 
next day, at their meeting, I was led in the course of my testi- 
mony to take up the subject of high professors taking advan- 
tage of the necessities of the poor, to screw them down, and 
grind the face of the needy. I was led to make some close re- 
marks on the subject ; but not feeling clear of the place, we 
appointed a meeting in the afternoon, and to it abundance of 
people came. I had to take up the subject at large, and show 
that the rich had it in their power to wipe the tear from the 
widow's eye, and make the fatherless rejoice, and their hearts 
bless them ; that the honest and industrious poor ought to be 
helped. This would be acting as Ministers of the Lord to the 
poor. But when the rich took the advantage of the poor, to 
increase their hoards of shining ore, they made the poor to 
sigh, the widow to weep, and the fatherless to cry for want ; 
thus adding grief to sorrow, and vexation to those already in 
trouble ; so that in vain is the profession of such. The Lord 
will have no respect to your offering, until you can stretch out 
your hands to the poor, to relieve the agonies of woe. The 
word of Truth went forth in that authority, that all opposition 
fell before it ; the meeting became very much broken into ten- 
derness of heart, and many to weeping — a solemn, humbling 
time. May the Lord bless it to the people, to the praise of 
His own name ! 

After we left there, I was informed by my company, that 
those who gathered at the house where we first went, came 
there on account of an arbitration between a rich Friend and a 
poor man. They sat by and heard the investigation, and it 



JOSEPH HOAU. 157 

was made to appear that the Friend had taken unjust advan- 
tage of him several ways, and screwed him down unmercifully ; 
that when the award was brought in, the Friend refused com- 
pliance, and went off offended. This took place while I was in 
the woods. Both parties were at the meetings, and they heard 
the Friend came forward the next day pliably, and was willing 
to settle. I had reason to hope that some good was done, and 
I had in humility, to admire the tender care of the Lord, in 
leading me into the forest, solitary and alone, so that I heard 
nothing of it until I got clear from them. I have often found 
it good to adhere to impressions felt, though at the time I knew 
not for why or what. 

The 30th, second day, we. set forward to Yonge street, rode 
about forty miles through woods and mire, and weary enough 
when night came. We put up with Joseph Keeler, a friendly 
man — his wife a member. Here we had a meeting in the af- 
ternoon, which was to our comfort, so that we were glad we 
were here. We passed from here to Whitby, forty miles, and 
reached Rnssel Hoag's, a kinsman cf mine. He was educated 
a Friend, and his wife a Baptist ;- each closely attached to their 
education, so that it made hard work in their family, they hav- 
ing a number of children. They both earnestly endeavored to 
get as many as they could to go with each of them, so that I 
pitied the children. The parents brought this dilemma upon 
themselves, and it was but just that they should feel the rod of 
their own choosing. 3d of 6th month, we had a meeting at 
his house, amongst a people settled at ease on couches of their 
own choosing, off of which they seemed determined not to be 
moved. To preach to them seemed to make no more entry to 
many minds than water poured on a rock. I parted with my 
kinsman with a heavy heart, who feels the weight of his situa- 
tion, and none in that place to unbosom his grief to, so that his 
trials are deep, and afflictions great ; but it is the reward of his 
own conduct. 

From here, we went to Timothy Roger's, at Duffin's Creek, 
eight miles, who seemed rejoiced to see us. A few years be- 



158 JOURNAL OF 

fore this, he had moved from my neighborhood. "We tamed 
with him one night, and I was glad to see him so comfortably 
settled. We took a solid parting opportunity with the family, 
and went on to Asa Randall's, at Whitchurch, the 4th. First 
day, 5th, we attended Friends' meeting in that town, and ap- 
pointed another in the afternoon at the same house, which was 
large, and the minds of the people were open to receive what 
the Great Master had for them ; and the Lord was pleased to 
favor with a plentiful shower that softened and tendered the 
soil, and revived the tender plants. 

Second day, we rode to Yonge street, and went to Jacob 
"Winn's, another Friend, who had rnoved from my country. 
He and family seemed much joyed to see us. Third day, we 
went to Ephraim Dunham's, (my brother-in-law), in Queen 
street settlement, where we had a large, favored meeting. The 
Truth went forth like a sword, that divided between the pre- 
cious and the vile, and reigned over all wrong that day to the 
honor of the cause of Truth, and I hope to the praise of the 
Most High God. 8th, we attended the Preparative meeting, 
at Yonge street. Notice being given, the meeting was large. 
I was led into a close, searching line of testimony. I felt the 
Truth to prevail, and its authority to rise in dominion over all 
opposition, to the great joy of my heart, and the comfort of 
many honest minds. Magnified be the name of the Lord, who 
abundantly giveth strength sufficient for the day ! 

The 10th, we rode to Uxbridge, a long stretch through the 
woods, and had a meeting with a few Friends there. It was a 
tendering, comfortable opportunity. 11th, we returned to 
Yonge street. First day, the 12th, we attended Whitchurch 
meeting. Here I was led into a painful exercise, being deeply 
distressed, and saw no way to get relief, but to tell Friends how 
I felt, and how it appeared to me it was with them, and how it 
came to be so, and what they had to do to get into a better 
state, though it was much in the cross. I was finally relieved, 
and after meeting, felt my cup to overflow with peace, as a riv- 
er. I was told by a Friend of that meeting, that I had twitted 



JOSEPH HOAG. 159 

them of facts, and that it was so ; for they had been in a sad 
quarrel, and he hoped it would do them good. 

Second day, the 13th, we attended an appointed meeting, at 
Queen street, for Sarah Pope, of Jersey, and Gulielma Widdi- 
field, of Philadelphia — a good meeting. 14th, we had a meet- 
ing in the south part of Uxbridge, it was small. Being elec- 
tion day, many of the men were gone. We had a fine compa- 
ny of women, and a favored, tendering time. The meeting 
closed under a sweet solemnity. 15th and 16th, attended 
Yonge street Monthly Meeting; abundance of people came to 
it. After sitting awhile in this meeting, under a close, lively 
exercise, I felt a clear opening, and lively motion to rise on my 
feet, and when I had opened my subject, it was all taken from 
me. I stood a little, then sat down, and felt great peace in 
being resigned to the Lord's will. The people were much dis- 
appointed ; but the women had good service. In the last meet- 
ing my bow was well strung, and I returned from the field of 
labor well rewarded. 

The lYth, we rode to Humber, where I met with my wife's 
sister, Elizabeth, who I had not seen for nine years. Here be- 
ing taken sick, I stopped one day. First day, 19th, I parted 
with the family, with an exceeding heavy heart, and rode forty- 
three miles. The roads were generally muddy ; the country 
being new, we had deep mud holes to plunge through. We 
arrived at the Government house at the head of Lake Ontario, 
where we staid all night. 20th, we got into Pelham ; 21st, 
this morning, parted with our southern friends, and next day 
attended meeting there. It was a crowded one, and much of 
mixed multitude. Here, my son-in-law bore the most able 
testimony, I thought, that I had ever heard from him. I had 
to follow on, and the Lord was good, and clothed with strength 
sufficient for the day, furnished with matter and utterance 
equal to the occasion, and raised the Truth in dominion, and 
exalted the standard of righteousness to our great joy, and to 
the honor of His holy and ever adorable name. 



160 journai; OF 

The 23d, we attended a litttle meeting at Win. Show$Fs. 
Here I was shut up in silence. At the close of the meeting I 
thought I felt it best to remark, that it was they, and they on- 
ly, who waited on the Lord, that renewed their strength ; and 
and it appeared to me, that if the people then gathered had 
waited as intently on the Lord as they had on an inferior ob- 
ject, no doubt we should have had a fine, precious meeting. I 
felt well satisfied in making the remark. After meeting I felt 
easy to go on to attend an appointment in Cowland, where a 
number of sober looking people came together. Here the 
well-springs of the Gospel were opened, and its waters ran 
freely, forcibly, and made its way in the dry and parched, as 
well as other kind of soil, and abundantly refreshed the tender 
plants — a day of favor to the people. May it be remembered 
with thanksgiving, and wisely improved ! 

Seventh day, we visited Niagara Falls, a great curiosity of 
nature. From this, we went to Black Creek, attended that 
meeting on first day, the 26th. It was large, and a renewed 
visitation of the Lord witnessed. Oh ! that the people would 
improve their favors. 

The 27th, we crossed the Niagara river at Black Rock, into 
the States, and traveled through Buffalo Indian settlement — a 
beautiful tract of land — the Indians were very kind. Finding 
their crooked paths puzzled us, they sent one to pilot us to the 
few Friends who had settled a few miles from them. With 
these Friends, the 28th, we had a favored, and to us a refresh- 
ing meeting. 29th, we rode thirty miles, mostly in a wilder- 
ness, through good land. 30th, we continued our wilderness 
travel twenty-eight miles. The 1st of 7th month, we came to 
Abraham Lapham's ; we got a little refreshment and went to 
Caleb Macomber's where we stopped and got some rest, for we 
and our horses were much fatigued. 2d of the month we had 
a meeting at Asa Aldrich's, in Palmyra — a laborious, exercis- 
ing meeting. I was led to show that one fault-mender was 
worth many fault-finders, as none could mend a fault, but those 
who committed the fault, and while people were looking up 



JOSEPH HO AG. 161 

others faults, they certainly neglected their own. I had to 
come to plain work, and felt quite comfortable after it. First 
day, 3d, we attended Farmington meeting; this was also a 
tribulatino- time to me. I was led to address the backsliders, 
who wanted to be esteemed, and like Adam, were hidden un- 
der a fig-leaf covering ; showing them, that would not do, as 
also the eagle-eyed, to spy out others faults for an excuse for 
the neglect of their own duties, showing them the neglect of 
duty was wrong, and doing wrong was the neglect of duty ; 
and while they were condemning others, they were acting like 
them, and ranking themselves in range with those they de- 
spised. This was not wise. I was enabled to open these 
points close and plain, to the. relief of my mind. Near the 
close of this meeting, I felt drawings towards the youth, and 
appointed a meeting the 4th hour, the same afternoon. Many 
came to it, and He that declared Himself to be the true Shep- 
herd, was pleased to be in the midst, and to break and bless 
the little with an abundant increase, so that there was enough 
and to spare. And Oh ! that the dear youth would gather up 
the fragments, and let nothing be lost. 4th, being rainy, we 
lay by ; 5th, had a meeting in Bristol, among the Baptists, who 
come so armed, that it caused a long silence. At length my 
son-in-law felt authorized to tell them that we had not come for 
battle, nor to preach any other doctrine, than the grace of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, which appeared to all men, by which we are 
to be saved, if we are saved, and th&t, through faith in the gift, 
and the Giver of it. This so settled the people that they laid 
down their arms, and the way opened for gospel communication, 
and it flowed freely. A solemnity came over the meeting, and 
it ended pleasantly. 

From this, we returned to Farmington, and attended their 
mid-week meeting on the 7th. To me it was a solemn part- 
ing, feeling my mind drawn into tender sympathy with the hon- 
est-hearted of that place. May the Lord be their helper in 
every needful time ! In the afternoon we had a meeting at Pal- 
myra, among a people that was so much in the outward, that 



162 JOURNAL OF 

it was heavy wading to get along. The next meeting was at 
Junius, on the 9th. Here was a small settlement of Friends, 
some of them under a good exercise, to whom the language of 
encouragement flowed freely. After the meeting, we rode 
twenty-two miles, to Scipio, and on first day, the 10th, attend- 
ed that meeting. In it I hurt my testimony by making an 
apology to soften the matter, and soon discovered I had weak- 
ened my hands. After the meeting an Elder — after making a 
long apology — remarked to me, that the Truth did not need an 
apology, and he thought a great porch and a little house did 
not look well ; and if I saw anything in him, he was as willing 
to receive as to give. I told him I had nothing, only he had 
chastised me for an apology in a good work, and I thought he 
was in as good a work, and had made as long an apology, 
which I thought did not come out right, for there was no more 
need in one case than the other. So we parted, and I hope we 
both learned a good lesson. We had another meeting in the 
afternoon, in which I had close work, but I took care not to 
make an apology. 11th, had a meeting at Calvin Tupper's, a 
favored time. Truth broke in on some minds, like the break- 
ino- in of mighty waters. After it, we rode to Sempronius, and 
had a meeting there on the 12th. The people were mostly not 
Friends. I sat a long time in this meeting, under such a dark 
cloud of distress, that it seemed almost insupportable. I cried 
in my agony, " Lord ! what have I done amiss ? show it to 
me and purify me, until I am acceptable in thy sight ; " and in 
deep prostration of spirit I lay low. In this condition, a lan- 
guage saluted the ear of my soul, remarkably clear and forcible ; 
" How shall the dead be raised — or thou be qualified to speak 
feelingly and effectually to their conditions, if thou art not bap> 
tized for the dead, and feel the weight of distress that is on 
them? Or how canst thou pray for them fervently, without 
feeling their distress and their wants ? " This was a good, prof- 
itable, and instructive time to me. After passing through this, 
I felt a lively motion to rise on my feet, and set forth in a clear, 
lively manner the tender mercies of the Lord, in often calling 



josepii iioao. 163 

upon, and long waiting upon the children of men, for their re- 
turn to Hirn ; also the nature of spiritual worship, and what 
qualified therefor, and the great loss sustained by all who do 
not believe the Truth and neglect these things. It was a 
memorable time to me, and may the Lord be pleased to make 
it so to the people, to the everlasting praise of His own name ! 

The 13th, we rode to De Ruyter, and had a meeting there on 
the 14th, to good satisfaction, loth, we rode to Brothertown, 
and went to John Dean's, an old acquaintance of mine ; we 
were glad to meet once more. Friends living very scattered, it 
was thought best to lay by on the 16th. First day, 17th, we 
attended their meeting. It was large for that place. Several 
of them came sixteen and eighteen miles to meeting. It was 
pleasant being with them, on account of their lively concern 
for the testimony of Truth. We had another meeting in the 
latter part of the day, with the Indian natives ; we found a very 
open, cordial reception among them. 18th, we went to Wes- 
ton, and had a meeting there on the 19th. Here I was led to 
feel much for those who were disposed to halt, and question 
the way of Truth, instead of coming up in the pointings of 
duty, which they already know, and so avoid the cross of 
Christ ; and thus deprive themselves of a growth in experience 
and knowledge of the mystery of Truth, and the comfort aris- 
ing therefrom ; thus endangering the loss of the crown. A 
sense of these things gave me pain and sorrow of heart, and I felt 
pity for them. 

The 20th, rode all day. 21st, we got among Friends in 
Mavfield, and had a meeting; with them. 2 2d, had another 
meeting at Abraham Wood's. 23d, was at Northampton, and 
had a meeting there. Not feeling clear of Mavfield, we stopped 
to their first day meeting, the 24th. Here, my good Master 
opened the door of utterance, furnished with matter, and gave 
ability fully to clear my mind, so that I felt relieved, and clear 
of this part of the country, where I had to wade under deep 
exercise from meeting to meeting, with much ardent labor. To 
me it was a joyful release, and an humbling, tendering time to 



164 JOURXAL OF 

the upright in heart. At 5 o'clock we had a precious, good 
meeting at Providence. 25th, we had a meeting at Galway. 
Here, I had to call on those who were at ease in Zion, and 
couched on their beds of ivory, and to blow the trumpet of 
alarm amongst them. 

From here we went to Ballston, and all our little company 
felt very much distressed in coming into the place, which con- 
tinued with us. Third day, we attended that meeting. General 
notice being given, there came in many who were not Friends. 
We sat silent the usual time of holding a meeting, when I in- 
formed the people, we had requested their attention, and were 
glad of their company ; that their solid deportment was grate- 
ful to our feelings ; but as the Lord had not given anything to 
communicate, we felt it not safe to undertake to preach, with- 
out His help and direction ; lest we run when we are not sent, 
and that would not profit the people. Therefore, we believed 
it best to be resigned to the Lord's will, who always knows 
what is best for us, and He would do right. I then informed 
the people that I wanted an interview with my Friends, and if 
they were willing to retire, it would be grateful to my feelings. 
They rose up with pleasant countenances and went out very 
quietly. I afterwards heard they were well satisfied. "We had 
not sat long by ourselves, before I had to address them in this 
language : "In the foregoing meeting, this was presented, and 
it still remains with me : ' There is death in the pot, and bitter 
gourds put therein, by those whose business it was to provide 
wholesome food for the needy and sickly ; having no Elisha 
among you to direct what to do, nor meal to put into the pot 
to take away the bitter, neither had it been sought for ; there- 
fore death remains in the pot.' " After clearing my mind, I got 
away as soon as I could, but felt great satisfaction in being- 
faithful. A while after, I was informed that there could be 
nothing more appropriate, and at that time there was an Elder 
in that meeting who had so conducted, as to get the meeting 
into an unsettled and divided state, so that their neighbors 
would not meet with them ; and they could do nothing with 



JOSEPH HOAG. 165 

him, short of dismissing him from his station, and disowning 
him from Society. Then the confusion settled away, and 
things returned to their former quiet channel. 

From here we went to Troy, and attended their fore and af- 
ternoon meetings on First-day, 31st. In both, we had good 
service, and were well accepted by our Friends. After the last 
meeting, my master took off the harness, and showed me that 
I might go home. Accordingly, we set out early on second- 
day morning, and rode several miles without much discourse. 
Observing that Nathaniel and Valentine rode with their heads 
down, it came lively into my mind to ride up to Nathaniel and 
relate a fable that I had fallen in with ; so I said to Nathaniel, 
I have concluded to go home like 'the old jay-bird. He said, 
"AVhat does thee mean 2" I then remarked, that among the 
fables, it was stated that the jay-bird took a feather from every 
bird, and plumed herself with them. Then she was the finest 
bird in the woods. At length the birds discovered how it 
was ; each came, claimed, and took its own feather. She look- 
ed on herself and exclaimed, "I am the poor old jay-bird." I 
said, "I am going home, the old jay-bird. The good Master 
has harnessed, and plumed us in this journey, and has now ta- 
ken it off; therefore it was best for He and I to be contented 
with it, and go home, the old jay-bird. For the Master had a 
right to do it, being the rightful owner of the plumage, and 
now it is best for us to go home and do as well as we can." 
He replied, "This will do. I have thought a good many times 
since we have been out, feeling what I have, and seeing so 
many clear proofs of its being right that we are out in this 
work, that I have concluded, if I live to get home, I will live 
as I ought, and do better than I ever have done. But since 
leaving Troy, I have felt so poor and stripped, I did not know 
what to think." I then remarked, that "Mordecai did not give 
out after riding the king's horse because the royal robe was 
taken off, but quietly went and put on his sackcloth, and wait- 
ed at the king's gate ; and by that means was found worthy to 
be promoted to greater honor. And so it might be with him 



166 JOURNAL OF 

and me, if we did right." The discourse ended, with his con- 
cluding to do right ; but, poor man ! he has fallen further into 
the dark than he was before. We continued on our way 
homeward, and when arrived there, found all our families well, 
to our mutual joy. 

After returning home from my long Eastern journey, I re- 
mained about home most of tbe time for several years, being 
often confined with sickness ; yet I made several visits within my 
own and neighboring Quarterly Meetings. Of these visits I 
find no correct minutes. I have lost the date of the year, and 
considerable of the minutes of one long journey ; so that I can 
do no better than relate, w T hat clearly occurs to my memory. 

I set out late in the Fall of the year; went to Queen sbury, 
took that meeting, Saratoga, Milton, Greenfield, Galway, and 
several other meetings. From this part I went to Cherry Val- 
ley, with having, I think, one or two meetings on the way. 
From Cherry Valley, we commenced having meetings for the 
most part, as often as one a day, for, I think, two months ; and 
having got into the edge of Pennsylvania, and almost beyond 
civilization, I felt easy to turn about. In this part of the visit, 
we met with great openness, and kind reception with the people. 

On our return to the older settlements, we stopped at a tav- 
ern where two men had just entered into a warm dispute rela- 
tive to the Indians. They ran so high in argument, that one 
asserted they were savages, and ought to be cut off from the 
face of the earth ; that they were worse than the beasts, and 
had no souls. The other argued that they were of the human 
family, possessing all the feelings of sensibility that we have, 
and that they were as capable of being improved as we were. 
"When they had tired themselves, they turned to a plain, gen- 
teel looking man, and asked his opinion on the subject, who 
answered thus : "There has lately been a missionary out on a 
visit to a tribe of Indians, that never had been visited by a 
Christian minister before, who preached to them four times. 
At length, he took up the subject of the conception, birth, life, 
miracles, ministry, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of 



JOSEPH HOAG. 167 

our Savior, in one sermon. He stated that all his other ser- 
mons were well received ; but, after this meeting — as is their 
universal custom when they hear preaching they do not under- 
stand or believe, they call a council, and agree what answer to 
give the minister, and if they do not approve, they hear him 
no more — they called a council, but could not altogether 
agree in belief; so they put it on one of their chief speakers to 
give the minister an answer. The Indian said, 'Well, then me 
go into the woods,' and retired about four hours. When he 
returned, the Indians gathered about him, and said, 'Well, 
what you think V He replied, '0, minister preach true, cer- 
tain.' One exclaimed, 'Minister no preach true ; a man hang 
up till he is dead, a great hote cut in his side, all the blood, all 
the water run out ; he no live certain.' Then the chief speaker 
began. 'Now you hear me ; me tell you. The Great Spirit 
speak all things ; He make all the people ; they all His chil- 
dren ; He love them all ; He tell them to love one another, and 
do good to one another. But some of His children, by and by, 
grow bad ; they quarrel ; they cheat ; they tell lies ; they make 
some of the rest of his children do bad. The Great Spirit see 
it ; He sorry ; He speak to them ; they no mind Him ; He 
speak to them again ; they no mind Him. He see they grow 
very wicked ; He much sorry ; then Great Spirit think, think, 
think He say, 'Well, Me send my son ; they mind Him.' 
He know his son must have body, or they no see Him. He 
look all over among the women ; He see one very good wo- 
man, purer than all the rest. Now you hear ; you mark and 
remember ; the Great Spirit speak a body in that woman. 
When that body came into the world, and grow big enough, 
He fill that body full of He-self. That His son. Now you 
hear, mark well, remember. You know the Great Spirit speak 
all things ; He speak cold weather ; that may come great deal 
snow, great deal ice. No snow, no ice in warm weather ; all 
water then. So Great Spirit speak warm weather again ; and 
that make all the snow, all the ice back to water again. Now, 
you remember that me tell you, the Great Spirit send His son ; 



168 JOURNAL OF 

He came ; He do much, good ; cure the sick ; He make blind 
folks see ; He make lame folks walk ; and He make some dead 
folks live. His good children much glad, they mind Him ; 
His bad children no mind Him. He speak to them ; He tell 
them they no mind Him. He then speak strong, very strong. 
That make them veiy mad. They get together ; they catch. 
Him; they Mil Him. The Great Spirit see it. The Great 
Spirit much sorry to see His children so wicked. Now, you 
remember ; the Great Spirit speak that body ; He no lose that 
body ; He speak that body to life again ; He call His son home. 
That body, spirit before He came into the world ; that body 
spirit now. The minister preach, true, certain.' " Here, he 
stopped, with this observation : "Now, gentlemen, you may 
judge for yourselves," got up and went off. I was sorry that I 
had not detained him a little, to know who, and what he was ; 
but my mind was in such a muse on the subject, that I did not 
re-collect myself until he was gone ; and I can say no more, than 
that he appeared to be a sensible candid man — and was very 
likely a Methodist Missionary. 

From this western travel, we put forward to Brothertown, 
where we found a few Friends ; some living with the Indians, 
and had several meetings thereabouts, to good satisfaction. 
Then, passed on, taking all the settlements of Friends on the 
west side of the Xorth River as we traveled southward ; having 
many meetings among those not of our society, where we met 
with open doors and kind reception. 

In Unadilla, I was attacked by a Presbyterian deacon, almost 
as quiek as I sat down after speaking, who tried hard to get 
into an argument. Thinking there was not touch good to be 
got by it, I endeavored to bring the business fto short, plain 
work. After altercating the matter a little, I brought him to 
agree, that what could not be proved by Scripture, should be 
rejected. He strove to open the subject of unconditional elec- 
tion ; but I thought it not best, as we had had a favored meet- 
ing, and the minds of the people appeared sober. I asked 
him, u Bv what are we to be saved ; by works?" He answer- 



josErn no ag. 169 

ed, "No." I then asked him, "Arc we to be saved by faith 
alone f ' He answered, "No." I then asked him, "By what 
are we to be saved ; is it by grace through faith, and that not 
of ourselves P' lie answered, "Yes." I then replied, "The 
Grace of God that bringcth salvation, the Apostle tells us, hath 
appeared unto cell men ; and remarked, that there are no more 
in number than all\ therefore there were none overlooked, 
and that His grace did not appear as an outward object to the 
natural eye, but in man in its own power of manifestation." 
To this he agreed. I then replied, "If it appeared in man, it 
was certainly put within his reach, and he could lay hold of it; 
and thou wilt not deny that the grace of God, is over all the 
power of the devil." He answered, "It is." I then remarked, 
"If this is so, as thou acknowledges, were all mankind to lay 
hold of this grace, and believe in it, it would teach them the 
same thing— to deny all ungodliness, the world's lusts, to live 
soberly, and to do right in all things. So thou seest we should 
all be engaged in the one concern ; eyeing the same thing, and 
walking by the same rule. Now, what room would there be 
for division among the people, or occasion for disputes ?" 

This so confused the deacon, that he stood some time silent. 
The people all sat quiet, till the subject was brought to a 
close, when several spoke to this effect : The stranger reasons 
fairly ; it is good, sound doctrine, and you ought not to crowd 
upon him. Here it ended, and I was truly glad to get through, 
without having the people's minds jostled, or drawn from un- 
der the solemnity that was over the meeting, which was the 
object aimed at, and through mercy, attained. It is not desir- 
able after a solid meeting, to get into a discussion upon what 
has been said, but many artful sectarians will seek to do it, I 
have thought, purposely to divert the attention of the people 
from what they have heard and felt. 

We passed on, having meetings where way opened for it, 
until we got to Otego ; there was a settlement of Friends. We 
had several meetings thereabouts. At one of them, were peo- 
ple of different pel i agst the rest, a deacon, and 
11 



1 70 JOURNAL OF 

in our company, we had a young woman a preacher, who, in 
the early part of the meeting gave us a sheer, lively discourse, 
The deacon arose quickly, and reproved if . a wo- 

man to preach. TPnen he was through. I asked him to be 
quiet until the meeting ended, and then we would answer to that 
He remained quiet until near the close of the meeting, when 
the woman Friend kneeled. After the prayer ended— in which 
she was favored — the deacon arose and tantalized her for pre- 
suming to pray when there was a man Minister by, whose dutv 
it was to do that service. He laid women very low. By this 
time I felt my mind well harnessed for the occasion. I took 
up the subject in : : m leasant ^:_y. beginning with the 
promises, and went through the Prophets, Christ being born 
of a woman. Chris: -ending women to preach His resurrection, 
Paul's recommending Phebe and other women, as fellow ] 
ers in the Gospel, and lastly, Paul's :each: 
should behavt when they prayed eh TVhen the 

subject was closed, the people apj a an in any 

other part of the meeting, and acknowledged th daction 

with the reasons and meeting: so that the her: tinted 

the device of the crafty, and turned theii folly on their own 
heads. 

I think, from here, we passed on to Oh king meetings 

on our war. Thereabouts I i^ drawii gs to have -erne meet- 
ings with those not Friends, At ?, their Priest 

came. I was iel to she"', t '....: e :gh Jesus 

Christ, had provided mean- . 1 pouring 

out of His spirit upon th} children : o show, if they 

believed in it. and warned in it. red tl i h :he Spirit, morti- 
fied the deeds of the hem. that this Spirit and grace of God 
would enable them to live with ret sinning, in word, thought, or 
deed; and that this was the perfection we ?li ved in. and 
sought to go on to. quoting many of Paul's sayings in c 
mation; and I was led to show that Paul, in walking by this 
rule, overcame the world, fought the good fight, kept the faith, 
and obtained an evidence that there was a crown laid up for 



JOSEPH JIOAC, 171 

him in heaven, and not for him only, but for all those who love 
the appearance of the Lord Jesns Christ: with this I closed. 
Their Minister rose quickly, and with a warm tone of voice ex- 
claimed, that he had labored among them, by night, and by 
day, and had gone with his life in his hand, to gather a little 
flock; and now, when the wolf came he thought it his duty to 
come and guard his flock, and that what they had heard was 
false, for there never was a man, who lived a day without com- 
mitting sin enough to damn him ; forgetting, that by such as- 
sertions, he made God unjust. He carried the matter so far, as 
to assert that Paul lived a sinner all his days and died a sinner, 
excepting only his hope in the mercy of Christ. With this asser- 
tion he sat down, and Im'ade a few short, plain remarks on the 
several points to which he had objected. I then turned to the 
people, and reminded them that I had not come there to invite 
them to be Quakers, but to call them to Christ, and to the word 
of His grace, wmich the Apostle said would build us up in the 
most holy faith, and give an inheritance among the sanctified ; 
and the people could judge, if to preach Christ, and to recom- 
mend to the word of His grace, was false doctrine ; seeing I 
had the Apostle with me in sentiment and practice, and as to 
the Apostle's living and dying a sinner, they might judge ; 
querying, w T hich knew best — Paul, who had left his experience 
on record, or this man who had come into being almost two 
thousand years afterwards — -seeing there was a flat contradiction 
between them. I then sat down and waited a little ; no re- 
ply being made I acknowledged the civility of the people, and 
closed the meeting ; but the hearts of the people were moved ; 
they reprobated their priest's conduct, and urged me to stop 
and preach for them again ; but I w^as glad to get away from 
them as easily as I could, and could but rejoice that the Lord 
returned the priest's venom on his own head, and caused it to 
work more to the settling of the people in the belief of what 
they had heard, than otherwise would have been, had he 
been peaceable. 

I went on, taking Friend's meetings, and had a number with 



172 JOURNAL OF 

other people on the west side of the Hudson river to New York, 
and attended the Yearly Meeting through. After it I went to 
West Chester, and, having spent all my pocket-money, I con- 
cluded I must go home with my prospect unfinished. At eve- 
ning a Friend came in where I was, who took me by the hand, 
and left a ten dollar bill with me, saying, " Take it, thou hast 
ne'ed of it," and went out. I knew I had not told any one my 
situation, and all excuse being out of the way, I had to give* 
up, and finish my visit. After attending West Chester meet- 
ing, I went into Connecticut, and visited all the meetings of 
Friends in that State, west of the Connecticut river, and had a 
number with the Presbyterians and Baptists, where I found la- 
borious getting along. They wxre very much afraid of having 
their old castle shaken, but my good Master favored with 
strength and utterance, so that when I got through I felt well 
relieved. Returning to Nine Partners, I visited several meetings 
thereabouts, and took some on my way home, where I arrived 
after an absence of more than seven months, found my family 
and friends generally well, and felt my mind richly rewarded 
with the enjoyment of peace. 

I have but a part of the account of my next journe} 7 , the 
date being lost,'" and my recollection not retaining the particu- 
lars with correctness, until I was in and about New York, where I 
met with kind reception. 

When on Long Island, after having several meetings with 
Friends, I felt forcibly arrested to have several meetings with 
those not of our society. This prospect was not favored by 
the Hickses; though they did not forbid it, they held back, so 
that I could get -no company or assistance. I concluded that it 
was in vain to run against wind and tide, so turned my atten- 
tion for home, and rode to Dauby, more than two hundred 
miles, and there was taken very sick, confined I think, 
nearly three days, and thought of calling on a doctor, but my 
Master told me, if I would go back through Connecticut and 

*It appears by the records of his Monthly Meeting, that he was liber- 
ated to perform this visit in the 9th month, 1S0D. 



JOSEPH HOAG. 173 

pay up the arrearage of the other visit there, and go on Long 
Island, and do His will, He would cure me without a doctor. 
I thought of it awhile and promised my Master if He -would go 
with me, and show me plainly what He wanted, I would go, if 
it was through fire and water. In a few hours I was well and 
able to ride, and turning about rode to Nine Partners, and took 
a Friend, a bold man, and went into Connecticut. Had a 
meeting or two on the way to West Hartford, where I called 
on Thomas Rotch and wife, and told them I had come back to 
give up that concern to them to look to. I had intended when 
there before, to have a meeting in Hartford town, but they 
were so loath I should appoint a meeting there, that I gave it up 
and it had remained with me ever since ; now I resigned it to 
them and Friends of that place. They would not take it from 
me, but chose to appoint a meeting. Thomas and his wife at- 
tended it. After meeting, Friends let me know that if I want- 
ed any more meetings in the town, the way was open for them. 
I informed them I desired not to do anything more than my 
Master bid me, nor to run without His command. I then 
went to Xew Milford, and attended Friends' meeting. There 
I parted with my companion, took another Friend, attended a 
little meeting in the southwest part of the state, and taking a 
Friend from there, went on the Island among those not Friends, 
I did not go near Friends until I had got through all the meet- 
ings I wanted with other people. My great and good Master 
favored and helped me through all in a wonderful manner. 
Honored and adored, forever, be His holy name ! 

There is one event I think best to note. The second meet- 
ing I appointed, after getting on the Island, was among the 
Presbyterians, near their meeting-house, in a school house that 
we obtained liberty to have for the purpose. Shortly after the 
people were notified of the appointment, the priest of that 
place came to the Inn where I was, and about ten or twelve 
with him, and attacked me. We soon got on the subject of 
election and reprobation ; he being very full of talk would give 
but little chance to hear, and if I attempted to speak, he would 



174 JOURNAL OF 

break upon me with this assertion, " I came to convince you, 
I can convince you, and I will convince you," and if I men- 
tioned any text of Scripture, he would reply, "you could not 
pick a better text for me," and would go on and put his own 
construction upon it, going his round over again, so that I saw 
it was in vain to attempt to reason with him, as he was deter- 
mined to have all the talk. I sat silent until he had somewhat 
emptied his fund, and then said, " Wilt thou answer me a few 
plaiu, simple questions, right to the point ? " He said, " I will." 
I then queried, " Art thou sound and unshaken in thy own 
principles ? " He answered, " Yes." I then asked if he be- 
lieved that everything that took place to the smallest iota, was 
fore-ordained ? He answered, " Yes." I then remarked, " If 
thou wilt hear me a few minutes, we will decide this dispute on 
thy own ground. If all this is so, I was fore-ordained to be a 
Quaker many thousand years before I was born, and to be just 
such an one as I am, and to have the disposition I have, which 
is to make thy principles look ragged, and I am doing the will 
of God, and can do no otherwise, and thou dost not know but that 
I am one of the elect for happiness ; and this is not all, if these 
things are so, it vras fore-ordained that I should come here and 
appoint a meeting in this place, and that thou shouldst not like 
it, but shouldst come here to convince me, saying thou couldst 
do it and wouldst ; also that it was fore-ordained that thou 
shouldst not convince me, for if anything, I feel stronger in my 
principles than before, and of course it was fore-ordained that 
thou shouldst labor in vain." I then said, " Is it not just so ? " 
He sat mute for awhile. I again queried, " Is it not just so ? " 
now answer me to the point. He answered, " I suppose it is." 
"When this came, his company went out at the door like a flock 
of sheep, and he followed them. Thus I was released, and felt 
bound gratefully to acknowledge the goodness of the Lord, in 
opening a short, plain way to confound their false doctrine, and 
silence the boasting tongue. 

After getting through this meeting with others to my satis- 
faction, I went to Fry Willis' and released the Friend who had 



JOSEPH HOAG. 1*75 

been with me, as lie was desirous to go home. I rested 
awhile, then visited the rest of the meetings, and felt at liberty 
to go home, not having met with any opposition now, though 
I went among the Hickses ; they were very smooth to me, so I 
parted with them, and set forward for home, after spending 
near ^ve months away from my family ; one month and a half 
longer, I think, than I need to have done, if I had not been in- 
terrupted. 



CHAPTER VL 

In the year 1 812, having for a long time had a prospect uf a 
religious visit to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and to the set- 
tlements of Priends in the Southern States generally, and now 
feeling the concern weightily to increase upon my mind, I laid 
it before my friends, and obtained their unity and certificate. 

I set out 30th of 10th month, haying Weston Macomber for 
a companion. Had a meeting at Wayferidge, and vent to the 
Quarterly Meeting at Dauby ; after the Quarter had a meeting 
in Dorset, amongst the Presbyterians, much more favorable 
than I expected, First-day, 8th of ilth month, attended meet- 
ing at Granville, "which was large and much favored; vrent 
next to Eastern Quarter, and attended that meeting, where I 
had good service; next to Saratoga, and had a large good 
meeting; then to Queensburv. and attended that meeting, 
first-day 15th; from thence to Greenfield, Milton and Gal way. 
where we attended a Monthly Meeting on the 18th. 19th. 
started for Buanesburgh ; 20th had a meeting there ; 21st, had 
one at Berne, and went next to Stanton Hill, and attended a 
meeting there. We then set forward and drove seventy-two 
miles in two days, and reached Tiistam Russell's, in Xewburg 
Valley, and attended their Monthly Meeting next day. The 
day following traveled sixteen miles and attended Cornwall 
Monthly Meeting; after this, we stopped at Smith's Clove, and 
had a meeting ; from thence to Hardwici, Sussex County, New 
Jersey, fifty-three miles, arrived on seventh-day evening, and 
attended that meeting on first-day, 29tji. 30th, we had a 
meeting at the same house. Finding my mind clear of that 
place, 1st of 12th month, we rode to Kingwood ; 2d, to Buck- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 177 

ingliam, in Pennsylvania, and arrived just before their Prepar- 
ative Meeting broke up. 3d of the month, we reached Phila- 
delphia, and made our home with Thomas Scattergood. Hav- 
ing met with an accident by a hurricane, which rent our car- 
riage top to pieces, we had to stop here to get it repaired, and 
were detained till first-day. This crossed my inclination, as I 
did not want to stop in the city until I returned ; but I had to 
submit. When first-day came, I dreaded to go to meeting in 
Philadelphia, with such great folks; but my Master soon show- 
ed me they were all of the human family, and were as much 
dependent on Him, for their life and being, as I was. This 
soon calmed my mind, and I had a short, clear testimony to 
bear, which was well received by Friends. This was at- the 
Northern District Meeting. In the afternoon I attended Arch 
Street Meeting, where I had to take up a copious subject, and 
go through with it. Thomas Scattergood followed, and united 
with my testimony. Thus I found much encouragement, that 
if I only kept to my Lord and Master's direction, I was safe 
among every people. Second-day, having Stephen Mackfield, 
and John Paul, for our pilots, we rode thirty-six miles, and 
lodged with John Pine, in Chester County. 8th, we rode to 
Columbia on the Susquehanna forty miles. 9th, had a meeting 
in that town ; after meeting we crossed the river and rode ten 
miles to Little York. 10th, we had a satisfactory meeting 
there. 11th, we rode to Gunpowder, and had a meeting there 
on the 12th ; pretty exercising, on account of many being set- 
tled down at ease. After this meeting we rode to Baltimore, 

sixteen miles, and made our home with John M , where we 

were kindly provided for. Here we had occasion to lay by till 
fourth-day, when we attended the West Meeting, and had a 
meeting, with the youth of that part of the city, the largest 
that I ever saw of the kind. 17th, we attended the Old Meet- 
ing, in the east part of the city, and had a meeting with the 
youth there in the evening; both comfortable, and favored. 
This seemed to make up for some of the hard, painful meetings 
I had passed through, and renewed my courage. I noticed at 



178 JOURNAL OF 

all the meetings in this city, that the people of all descriptions, 
even down to little children, sat very still ; more so, than I re- 
member to have observed in all my travels ; an evident mark 
of a good education, and a wise, prudent care in parents, over- 
seers, and other leading characters of meetings. My mind be- 
coming settled that it was best to attend to my prospect, and 
visit the poor-house, and the state prison, I opened it to Friends, 
who made way for it by taking considerable pains. 19th, we 
had a solid, satisfactory meeting with the invalids ; after meet- 
ing we stopped a little, and seeing some without feet, others 
without hands, some with parts of limbs gone, and many with 
scarified faces, I enquired the cause. I was told that nearly 
all of it came from their intemperance. ,1 exclaimed, in my 
heart, what a spectacle of warning to the rest of mankind, to 
take care and not become dupes, and miserable slaves to that 
unmerciful tyrant, ardent spirits ; truly heart-aching to behold 
its effects. 

20th, first of the week we attended the West Meeting. In 
the afternoon we visited the State Prison, and had a meeting 
with them. There is a great contrast between this, and the 
Poor House, many of these, of bright countenance, and pos- 
sessed of active minds, capable of being useful, and doing much 
good in their generation, confined for their wicked, outrageous 
conduct, which rendered them a pest to the human family ; 
many of these brought to this by attending balls, horse-racing 
and gambling-houses, whereby they get stripped of all they have 
then flee to the tyrant, ardent spirits, for comfort, which soon 
dupes them to thieving, forgery, and all manner of evil conduct, 
and then to the State Prison. The consideration of these 
things bore heavily on my spirits, but through the tender mer- 
cies of the most high God, I was enabled to clear my mind 
amongst them in a way that was well received, though plain \>& 
the point. 21st, we had a meeting at evening at the West 
House, with the people of color ; it was large ; they behaved 
very quietly, as became Christians. I think the^f were evident- 
ly owned by the Shepherd of Israel ; it was a serious, tendering 



JOSEPH HO AG. 179 

time, a renewed visitation to that people ; may the Lord make 
it a blessing to them. 22d, we went to Elk Ridge, and attend- 
ed that meeting in course. There being a marriage it was 
pretty full, and sometime unsettled, not at all to my satisfac- 
tion, ""fiiey- not giving opportunity to me to clear my mind. 
After meeting we drove to the head of South river. 25th, to 
William Ward's ; not far from this stood an old meeting-house, 
once occupied by a "large society of Friends, and now left desti- 
tute. I enquired if they had moved away ? I was answered, 
'"No ; the old stock owned abundance of slaves, and the young 
ones had fallen off; when the parents died, there were none to 
keep the meeting up." This answer was so full, I thought well 
to notice it, for although their parents left them rich in this 
kind of property, their offspring, now, are generally poor, 
proud and lazy ; a sad entailment — clear evidence that a little, 
earned by honest industry, is better than much, otherwise ob- 
tained ; in that the latter is blest, and the other blasted, every 
way. I could but mourn for their offspring ; their countenan- 
ces looked sour towards Friends. 26th, we rode to the Cliffs, 
where once was a large body of Friends, and the first, or nearly 
the first Yearly Meeting that was held on the Continent, which 
was large for many years. But Friends running much into 
slavery, and raising their children in idleness, they have gone 
from the society, and many of them now are some of the most 
cruel slaveholders in that country, and Friends have ceased to 
be, over a tract of country that is very beautiful. In a space of 
country one hundred and fifty miles in length, and several wide, 
much of which was formerly owned by Friends, there is now 
but *one meeting pretended to be kept up, and that by an old 
man, whose children will go to the meeting-house with him some- 
times. Some of their descendants seem to have a regard for 
Friends, and mourned their situation. We had a meeting at 
the (Ms, which was heavy, and heart-aching on account of the 
two or thre^.- Frietfds who could not be reconciled to leave the 
country. We parted with them, and returned ten miles on 
our way back. 29th, rode ten miles and attended an appoint- 



180 JOURNAL OF 

ed meeting in a village called Friendship, where there was a 
good sized meeting-house owned by Friends ; but not a Friend 
in that part of the country to come to it, and the inhabitants 
had filled it with tobacco ; on that account the Methodists of- 
fered us their house which was large and accommodating. To 
this meeting came abundance of people ; the arm of the Lord 
was felt to be strong this day. I had to go into a large field 
and show the abuse of slavery on the human family, the perni- 
cious effects on the offspring of slave-holders, and its open vio- 
lation of all right in a gospel point of view. I h,ad not witness- 
ed the power of gospel authority so to rise in dominion over 
all opposition for many days. It was the Lord's doing, and the 
glory is all His. From this we went to attend an appointed 
meeting, the 30th, near West River, where Friends once held 
their Yearly Meeting for Maryland. We found it a desolate 
spot, the meeting-house almost rotted down, the grave-yard ly- 
ing common, and briars and bushes growing over the bones of 
the dead, and many of the graves rooted down with swine, so 
that mournful were my feelings, and heavy was my heart. I 
could but exclaim, "how the earth mourns with a dreary face, 
and refuses to smile upon the dead, who marred her beauty by 
oppression !" We had a little meeting there and departed. 
31st, we attended Indian Spring Meeting. 1st of 1st month, 
1813, we rode to Sandy Spring; 2d, we had a meeting with 
Friends there, wherein my mind was comfortable, feeling the 
presence of the Lord was near to uphold and sustain all those 
who put their trust in Him. After this meeting we rode six- 
teen miles toward Washington, and lodged with Issachar Scho- 
field. First-day, the 3d, we attended the little meeting of 
Friends in Washington City. 4th, rode to Alexandria, and 
had a large meeting with Friends and others. 5th, we return- 
ed to Washington, in the evening w T e had a meeting in George- 
town. 6th, we attended the Preparative Meeting in Washing- 
ton, and after it rode to Alexandria. 'Jth, attended their mid- 
week meeting. 8th, we rode to Nathaniel Elicot's, at Occo- 
quan, where we had a meeting in the evening, which was fa- 



JOSEPH IIOAO. 181 

vorcd ; and holy help was felt to give ability to discharge my 
duty from day to day, and to feel sufficient satisfaction there- 
for. 9th, we traveled thirty-eight miles to Fredericksburgh, 
10th, forty miles to Caroline. 11th, we had a meeting in that 
place ; the prospect is, that meeting will run down ; it was 
small, and but little true gospel life felt amongst them. 12th, 
we went to Cedar Creek 13th, attended that meeting, where 
I had to come to close work, which made my heart ache. 
From thence to Jenito, and had a meeting ; then returned to 
Cedar Creek. 15tli and 16th, we lay by except visiting the 
sick and afflicted. 17th, first of the week, we attended Cedar 
Creek meeting again, where I had to show the evil effects of 
those who Lorded over God's heritage, and oppressed $he Babe 
Immortal, in their brethren, Christ's little ones ; a solemn day 
to me. I felt richly rewarded for being faithful, yet could but 
mourn for the self-righteous, important feeling in that land 
which would not enter the kingdom themselves, nor suffer oth- 
ers who wanted to enter. I had to leave them to the Lord. 
21st, rode to Wayne Oak. 2 2 cl, we had a meeting there. 23d, 

we rode to . 24th, first of the week, we attended that 

little meeting. 25th, rode back to Wayne Oak, and attended 
meeting there on the 26th. 27th, rode to Burleigh, and cross- 
ed James Kiver. 28th, we had a meeting with Friends there, 
and rode after meeting eight miles to William Hunicot's. 
29th, we had a meeting at his house. 30th, we rode ten miles 
to Petersburg, and had a meeting there the same day, where 
my heart was pained to see the droves of human beings driven 
about like cattle, and used much worse. After meeting, we 
drove to Gravelly Bun. Here was a pretty large, lively meet- 
ing, there being a number of well established Friends. 31st, 
first-day, we attended that meeting to good satisfaction. 1st 
of 2d month, we went to Stanton. 2d, we laid by to give op- 
portunity of notice for future meetings. 3d, we had a meeting- 
there ; after it we rode twelve miles to Samuel Jones', and 
had six miles to ride in the mornina*. We had sent a written 
information of our appointment to a Friend that was recom- 



182 JOURNAL OF 

mended to as, to be relied upon, but instead of answering our 
request, he kept still until the morning that the meeting was to 
be, at 11 o'clock; lie then sent it to a poor man who bad no 
horse, who gave what information he could. "When we got 
there, there were five or six Mends/and two or three neighbors, 
and the Friend who had neglected our request. It came so 
clear before me how it was, that I rose on my feet and stated, 
it appeared to me that the Friend who was requested to give 
notice of the meeting, had neglected it, and put it on another, 
who was not in circumstances to do it, and at so late a period 
that it was out of his power to notify the people according to 
my request; and I thought it hard after giving up to come 
so far as I had, that I could not have the opportunity of seeing 
the people I wanted to ; but having done my duty, must leave 
it on the Friend, who had neglected his, to look to, and sat 
down, and soon broke the meeting. Friends called on the 
Friend, who acknowledged he had given no information, but 
had sent the paper to a poor Friend that morning. I was told, 
they asked him why he did so ? He answered, "He did not 
know of any Friends in Vermont, and thought it better to get 
acquainted with the man, and to know whether he could preach 
first; if I had come from Philadelphia, he should have felt safe 
in informing the people/ 1 

After this, we drove eighteen miles, to Benjamin Jordan's, 
near Yix Meeting, at whose house we found kind usage, and 
on the oth had a large, crowded meeting, at that place. At 
this meeting, the High and Holy One was pleased richly to 
furnish me with matter, strength, and utterance, so that the 
power of Truth came over all, and a solidity sat on the coun- 
tenances of the people. 6th, we went to Somerton. 7th, first 
of the week, we were at that meeting. From thence to Johns- 
ton. Sth, we had a meeting with the inhabitants thereabouts. 
9th, rode to Secock, and attended an appointed meeting ; it 
being rainy, we tarried with John W'atkins, the night. 10th, 
went to Black Water, and attended the Quarterly Meeting of 
Ministers and Elders. While sitting there, it was shown me, as 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 18o 

clear as the beams of light, that there was in that meeting, one 
who defrauded the free blacks out of their wages, after they had 
well earned them, and that was the reason the Lord's presence 
was not to be found in the meeting. It was also shown me, 
who it was that was guilty ; but they all looted so smooth, and 
answered the queries so whole, that I reasoned until the subject 
died away, to the wounding and burdening my mind for many 
days. And before I left the country, I was told that it was 
actually the case, and who the man was, (the very person that 
was brought to my view) ; when this was told me, I had not 
so much as hinted my feelings to any mortal. This re-inforced 
the burden on my mind. I leave this for a warning to others. 
11th, came on the meeting for 'worship and discipline. It was 
painfully exercising, the continual moving of the young people, 
and running in and out of the rabble. At the meeting for bu- 
siness, they set the windows and doors open, and the rabble 
would come and put their teacls in at the windows and listen ; 
others almost continually running in and out ; and many sat 
in the meeting who were not members, nor even moral people, 
and no endeavors were used to have it otherwise. I was glad 
when the meeting ended. We appointed a meeting there the 
next day, the 12th, where I cleared my mind as well as I could, 
and left them with a grieved heart and pained mind. After 
meeting, we drove to the Western Branch twenty miles. 13th, 
we had a favored meeting with a few Friends there ; a tender- 
ing, contriting season to some minds. 14th, first of the week, 
had an appointed meeting at Suffolk. 15th, we rode to the 
Widow Winslow's, in North Carolina. 16th, had a meeting 
at Piney Woods, and* another at Beach Springs on the 18th. 
19th, we had one at Goose Creek; at this, my mind was sin- 
gularly led, and having suffered deeply for suppressing my 
feelings before, I gave up, to walk up to the mark faithfully. 
The saying of the prophet arrested my mind : " Thy Maker is 
thy husband ; the Lord of Hosts is His name ; thy Eedeemer, 
the Holy one of Israel ; the God of the whole earth shall He 
be called." I was led to show that this would apply to the 



184 JOURNAL OF 

Church, and to individuals ; and that the way the Church became 
the Lamb's wife, was by entering into promises : the Bride had 
to make promises as well as the Groom, and these promises 
were not to be broken without guilt, and the reward of guilt 
was condemnation always ; and in like manner it would apply 
to individuals. Here I felt a full stop, but shortly the language 
flowed forcibly, " What aileth thee, O wife I Has thy husband 
withdrawn his affections from thee, or doth he neglect to pro- 
vide for thee, or hast thou let out thy affections to another, and 
played the truant thyself; and now, to hide thy shame, and to 
secrete thy wickedness, art accusing thy husband of being guilty 
of thy own conduct ? This is cruel." Then I was led to show 
how such a disposition would affect grief, and use a private in- 
fluence to get a strong party on their side ; and that such 
would pretend a broken heart, to carry their points, while suf- 
fering innocence could say but little more than " I am clear, 
I am innocent, I never did so." I then was led to show the 
agonizing pain it must give to an innocent mind to meet with 
such treatment, and that from one in whom they had put the 
greatest confidence. When I felt clear of this part of the sub- 
ject, way opened to show the inseparable -unity between Christ 
and his Church ; and that it was by covenant, and that com- 
pared to the wedlock covenant ; and when both parties kept 
the covenant inviolate, then each partook of every solace that 
could promote joy and happiness ; but to those that broke 
covenant, sorrow, anguish, and woe, were certain. I was, to 
my own mind, marvelously strengthened to go through the 
service of the day, to my own peace, and the satisfaction of 
Friends. I was shortly after informed there had been such a 
case with them, which run to that length, that it brought the 
Monthly Meeting into confusion, but that now all parties were 
satisfied. The woman was disowned, and all things returned 
to a quiet course, to the exaltation of the standard of Truth and 
Righteousness ; and I hope to the everlasting praise of the true 
God. We went on to Simons' Creek to attend their Monthlv 



JOSEPH HOAG. 185 

Meeting on the 20th, but such a rain came on that only enough 
came to adjourn the meeting to another time. 

On first day, 21st, we attended the meeting at Newbegun 
Creek 2 2d, had a meeting at Pasquotank, and returned to 
Aaron Morris'. 23d, we rode to Nathan Morris'. 24th, we 
had a meeting at Sutton. 25th, attended the adjourned Month- 
ly Meeting at Simons' Creek. 26th, attended the Quarterly 
Meeting for Ministers and Elders at Little River. 27th, Quar- 
terly Meeting for worship and discipline. First day, 28th, we 
attended the burial of Mary White, daughter of Aaron Morris ; 
a large and solemn gathering. 1st of 3d month, had a meeting 
at Pasquotank Narrows. 2d, a meeting at Little River. 3d, 
had another meeting at Sutton's Creek. 4th, we had another 
meeting at Simons' Creek. 5th, we had a meeting at Nixonton. 
All through this low country I felt much for Friends ; many 
of their brethren who had freed their slaves, had left them un- 
protected and unprovided for ; and they themselves had gone 
into another country, leaving their blacks a burden on their 
friends who staid behind ; for they were liable to be taken up 
and sold again, unless protected by Friends, so that it was a 
grievous burden. I thought it right to encourage Friends to 
do what they could for this oppressed and much injured people, 
for whom I had much labor laid upon me, to plead their cause, 
and bear a faithful testimony against the wicked practice of 
holding slaves. 

The 6th of the month, we attended Piney Woods Monthly 
Meeting. First day, 7th, we attended Wells meeting ; and at 
three o'clock another appointed for us at Beach Springs. 8th, 
we rode to Eli Copeland's, thirty-eight miles. 9th, rode to 
Richsquare. 10th, attended Richsquare Meeting. 11th, we 
rode to Jack Swainp. 12th, had a meeting in that place. 13tb, 

we had a meeting at M . First day, 14th, we attended 

Richsquare meeting again. 15th, we drove forty miles, to 
Tarburgh, and had to cross the great Waynoak river ; here, to 
our grief, we saw abundance of slaves, who were hardly used. 
We put up with Henry Austin. 16th, we had a meeting in 
12 



186 JOURNAL OF 

that town; after it, we drove to Contentney. 17th, attended 

meeting there. 18th, attended meeting at Turner's Swamp, 
19th, attended Holly Spring meeting. 20th, visited Nakanty 
meeting. First day, 21st attended Contentney meeting again, 
after which we rode to Cane Creek. 22 d, had a meeting with 
the inhabitants of that place. 23d, set out for Core Sound, 
arid continued traveling the 24th and 25th, and arrived at Jo- 
siah Burden's 26th, in that neighborhood. 27th, attended Core 
Sound Monthly Meeting. First day, 28th, attended Core 
Sound meeting. 29th, we had a meeting in Beaufort Village, 
by the Seaside. From here we went back to J. Burden's. 31st, 
we drove to Newbeme. 1st of 4th month, reached Washing- 
ton, a little town on Bear River ; part of the roads were pole 
and log cross-ways, for miles together ; the most tedious of any 
I ever met with. 2d of the month, rode to Pungo river. 3d, 
we drove to Mattimuskeet. 4th, and first of the week, we at- 
tended that little meeting. After this, we appointed a meeting 
at the lower end of Musketo Lake, and attended it on the 5th 
of the month, and returned to Mattimuskeet. The 6th, returned 
to Pungo river. 7th, arrived at Washington. 8th, had a 
large meeting there. Here were abundance of slaves, and it 
being in the time of the war with England, it was thought dan- 
gerous to say much against war or slavery. I was led to show 
that the gospel, if complied with, led every true follower of 
Jesus Christ to endure every burden, break every yoke, and let 
the oppressed go free ; and those who did not comply there- 
with, were not true christians, but deceivers of themselves and 
others, and therefore, anti-christians. From this I was led to 
the subject of war. But when I mentioned that, a number 
straitened themselves up, and stared me full in the face, with 
all the defiance of confident countenance they could ; so much 
so, that I stopped, and thought to sit down, and give up any 
further attempt to preach to them. As I went to set down, 
the ear of my soul heard a clear voice, saying " stand still and 
wait for the Lord, and He will help thee." So I stood like a 
stock to be stared at, awhile. Then the voice spoke again, say- 



JOSEPH IIOAU. 

ing " speak to the people and state to them where thou livest, 

and the situation of the country and people." I then proceeded, 
and stated that I lived, when at home, within sixty miles of the 
British lines ; the nation that we are now at war with. It is a 
land line two hundred miles ; one hundred through a country of 
rich, fertile soil, and both thickly settled, not only with farms, 
but towns, villages and meeting houses ; and that I had trav- 
eled m nearly all of the British American Provinces, and found 
Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Quakers, Methodists, 
Restorationists, and Roman Catholics, and large societies of 
each, and many of them own brothers, children of the same 
mother, and communicants at the same table. "When I had 
proceeded thus far, Gospel life arose, with authority, in this 
manner : now, is it possible, for any one who has rational sense 
and power of reflection, to make himself believe that Jesus 
Christ, the Prince of peace, who came not to destroy men's lives, 
but save them, should command any of His dear children of the 
same communion, who, in commemoration of His agonized suf- 
ferings for them, in hopes that through His merit, atonement 
and the gift of His grace, they may obtain eternal salvation, 
(and this is the belief of all these societies), should command any 
of them to draw the martial sword, to open the veins of life of their 
brethren, and deprive them of the remainder of their days. 
And this is now the case in our land, with all those societies 
except the Quakers. Who can believe all this should be ? I 
cannot, though I am well aware that the monarch s of the earth, 
command obedience from their subjects, on the plea of being 
subject to the higher power ; seeming to forget that all power 
in heaven and earth, was given to Jesus Christ 3 and that they 
have their power by his permission, and are bound in duty not 
to counteract His command, and are as accountable to Him as 
their subjects, and have no right to control conscience ; and 
Jesus commands to do good for evil ; and He, in the Father, 
is the highest power of all. "When this came, every head had 
dropped, and every countenance had fallen, except one ; he 
struggled avrhile longer. I felt the power of Truth to arise 



188 JOURNAL OF 

mightily over tliein all, and the spring of the Gospel to flow as 
a mighty stream, so that I had to keep on my guard to speak 
distinct and clear. The last head came down ; many of them 
wept much. Thus, the Lord was pleased to make bare his 
arm. and show his mighty power, and exalt the truths of the 
Gospel, amongst a full, hardy people, to the honor of His own 
ever adorable name ! and richly rewarded the poor servant, for 
the obedience of faith this day. Blessed forever be His good- 
ness, and honored be His name. 

After this, we journeyed to Greenville. 9th, to Contentney. 
10th, we attended their Monthly Meeting, and put up with Si- 
las Hallo well, and rested one day. 12 th, we visited Holly 
Spring Meeting. 13th, attended Xahante Meeting. 14th, we 
attended Bear Creek meeting. 15th, I attended the Quarterly 
Meeting for Ministers and Elders, at Contentney ; afterward 
we attended the Quarterly Meeting for discipline. First- 
day, the 18th, was a general parting meeting, which was 
large, - solemn and favored. All the meetings in this quar- 
ter are small, many having moved away, and meetings go- 
ing down, which seemed gloomy and discouraging. There 
seemed hardly strength to support discipline. Many of 
their children marrying into slave families, taking their wives' 
portion in slaves : then ends all fellowship with Friends. They 
become the hardest people that I fell in with, "While I mourned 
for the slaves, I could but doubly mourn for the dwindling state 
of our Society in these slave countries. My heart was many 
times so filled with grief, that had not the Lord sustained me, 
I should have fainted in the field. 19th, we had a meeting at 
Xeuse, eighteen miles from Contentney. 20th, set out for 
Eno ; arrived there 23d, and had a meeting with the few- 
Friends of that place. After meeting, drove twenty miles, and 
crossed the river Saxapahaw, to attend Spring Monthly Meet- 
ing, 24th of the month. First day, 25th, attended that meet- 
ing again. 26th, had a meeting at South Fork, and rode to 
Cane Creek. 27th, had a meeting there. In this part of the 
country, I found things much out of order, and much discord 



JOSEPH IIOAG, 180 

amongst Friends. My Master led me from day to day, and 
from meeting* to meeting, into a clear sense of the state of meet- 
ings and individuals, and laid His command on me to speak His 
word faith fully, from which I durst not deviate, so that my 
fears, of missing the right mark were almost continual : being 
in almost every meeting, for quite a number of days, led into a 
sense of the wrongs that were among them, and had to deal 
plainly with them, which was very painful to me, and deeply 
under the cross ; so that it wore upon my constitution to that 
degree, that I sometimes thought I should lay my bones among 
them. And had not the Lord borne me up, I should have 
fainted in the field. 28th, we were at Rocky River and made 
our home with David Vestal, one of their worthies, an Israelite 
indeed, and attended that Preparative Meeting, and went to 
the Ridge, twelve miles. 29th, had a meeting there. From 
thence, we went to Holly Spring once more ; much in the cross. 
Was at that meeting the 30th of the month. After it we re- 
turned to David Vestal's. The 1st of 5th month, were at Cane 
Creek Monthly Meeting. First day, the 2d of the month, we 
had a meeting at John Long's, seven miles from Cane Creek. 
3d of the month, had a meeting at Providence. The 4th, at 
Salem. 5th, at Centre. 6th, at Marlborough. At this meet- 
ing, painful was the travail of my mind, on the account of dis- 
cord amongst brethren ; and I had to leave some close remarks 
in some families. I was told after leaving that place, there 
were two brothers, both members of Society in that meeting, 
who had not spoken to each other in five years, and that I had 
dined at one of their houses, and that I need not think strange 
of the remarks that I had to make in the family. 7th, I at- 
tended the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at Black 
Creek, where I was led into the closest communication, and 
was, I think, constrained to express the sharpest language that 
I ever had in charge from my Master in a meeting of that kind, 
and was told after meeting there was a cause for it. The 8th, 
was their meeting for business, somewhat exercising on account 
of an opposing spirit, but by Friends keeping in the quiet and 



100 JOURNAL OF 

patiently waiting at Wisdom's gate, Truth, bore the victory. 
The business was conducted regularly and consistently, to the 
comfort of many minds. First clay, the 9th, was the conclud- 
ing meeting for the Quarter. 10th, we had a meeting at Uwa- 
vie. After this meeting we drove twelve miles, and the 11th 
traveled forty-five miles, to Rockingham. 12th, got to Pedee, 
about 8 o'clock in the morning, and attended their mid-week 
meeting, and appointed a meeting for the next day, at the 
same hous'e, and another in the afternoon, on the other side of 
Pedee river, at a place called Little Creek. Both these meet- 
ings were satisfactory. 14th, we set forward for Piney Grove, 
in South Carolina. 15th, we attended Piney Grove Monthly 
Meeting. Here, Friends labor under great discouragements, a 
number having removed to other countries, and they, sur- 
rounded with slaveholders, so that they seemed to be in an 
unsettled state. They conducted the business in much conde- 
scension and humility. There appeared nothing austere amongst 
Friends of this place. I had the best satisfaction with Friends 
here, of any meeting for business I had attended for a long 
time. 16th, and first of the week, we attended meeting there 
again. 17th, we affectionately parted with Friends of this 
place, and turned our course for New Garden, in North Caro- 
lina. We went to Rockingham. The 18th, we had a meet- 
ing with, the inhabitants of Rockingham, and rode to Archibald 
Morman's. There, we had a meeting the 19th. After this 
meeting we rode thirty miles, and the 20th, we rode twenty- 
five miles. The 21st, we got to John Winslow's. The 2 2d, 
we rode to Nathan Hunt's, in Springfield. The 23d, and first 
of the week, w T e attended Springfield meeting. The 24th, I 
had to lay by and doctor, having taken a great cold. 25th, I 
went to Matthew Coffin's. About this time, my companion 
becoming very uneasy and discontented, left me, in a distant 
land, among strangers, where I was often plunged into deep 
sufferings. 26th, I attended Springfield mid-week meeting. 
27th, had a meeting at Piney Woods. 28th, had a meeting 
at Kennet. 29th, rode twelve miles to attend Back Creek 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 191 

Monthly Meeting at Heworry. In this little tour I had Mat- 
thew Coffin for a companion. First day, the 30th, I was at 
Heworry Meeting, and returned to Phineas Nixon's, where I 
was kindly eared for. 31st, I had another meeting appointed 
at Back Creek. This seemed almost like giving up my life, 
to have to go back to a place, where I had been so many times, 
and been plunged into such deep exercise ; it seemed like the 
mighty waters that rolled over the head. But I found peace 
in giving up to my Master's requirings. He was pleased to 
bear me company, and strengthened with ability and utterance, 
so to do His work that I felt well relieved, and richly rewarded. 
The 1st of the 6th month, we returned to Springfield and 
attended their Preparative Meeting. 2d of the month, again 
visited Piney Woods Meeting. The 4th, at Kennett; 5th, 
attended Springfield Monthly Meeting, where I had to go into 
close, searching labor. After they commenced doing the busi- 
ness, I felt my mind impressively drawn to make a visit to the 
women's meeting. I opened it to the men and hud their con- 
sent, and a Friend was named to go in with me, and soon after 
I got there, it was opened to me that there was one in the meet- 
ing who was accused of stealing, who was as innocent of such 
a crime as a child unborn. I sat under the exercise until my 
Master showed me how, and in what manner to take hold of the 
subject. I then rose with these words : Had I in the men's 
meeting met with what I have here, I should not have been 
surprised ; for men who have to go ahead in the business of 
the world, will sometimes run across each others' track and spat 
each other ; but to find amongst the fair sex, to whom we look 
for the finest feelings of sympathy, those who are accusing an 
innocent sister of taking property, not her own, and keeping it 
for her own use, who is as innocent of any such crime as a 
child unborn ; and not only accusing, but whispering and 
spreading it abroad to the great injury of the credit of the in- 
nocent ; and what is still worse, for those who sit in Moses' seat, 
and those in the station of Elders to sanction these reports, is 
cruel ; and to be found among the fair sex, is surprising. But 



192 JOURNAL OF 

rest assured, the Lord will overturn all this, and the day will 
come that it will be known who is innocent — for the Lord 
will plead the cause of suffering innocence. And if thou who 
art the sufferer, keep in the quiet, and abide in patience, the 
day shall corne when this shall be carried over the heads of thy 
accusers. I passed on, and no one said anything to me on 
the subject. I heard nothing of it for years. But when I did, 
it was said that a Friend and his wife and children, had accus- 
ed a daughter-in-law, a widow, of taking several hundred dol- 
lars in money, that was not her own, and had secreted it. Sev- 
eral years passed; at length the man who had the money, 
came forward and let it be known that the widow's husband 
had paid the money over to him a few days before he died, 
for land which he gave a deed for, and the deed was found, and 
agreed with the man's testimony. Thus, I was credibly in- 
formed, the widow was cleared. I leave this, in hopes that it 
may be a caution to others, how they accuse on suspicion, and 
give pain to suffering innocence. 

The 6th of the month, and first of the week, I was at 
Deep River Meeting ; the 7th, I attended Deep River Month- 
ly Meeting ; 8th, at Muddy Creek Meeting ; the 9th, at Blue 
Creek Meeting; the 10th, I attended Dover Meeting; the 
11th, attended New Garden Quarterly Meeting for Ministers 
and Elders; the 12th, the meeting for business. First day, 
the 13th, attended their closing meeting held for worship 
— it was a solid, favored meeting; 14th, visited Hope- 
well Meeting ; here I had Jesse Towel for a companion ; 15th, 
we had a meeting at Newberry; 16th, at a meeting at Sandy 
Springs; 18th, we were at Centre Monthly Meeting; it was a 
trying day on account of a division amongst Friends, and a 
noisy man, they were about to disown, at length left the meet- 
ing, after which the business^ was conducted pretty harmoni- 
ously; 20th, first day, we attended Centre Meeting in the fore- 
noon and had an appointed meeting at Providence in the af- 
ternoon ; 21st, went to Jesse Towel's, where we put up for the 
night; 22d, we rode to Joseph Thompson's; 23d, we had a 



josepii no ag. 193 

meeting at Hillsborough; 24th, we attended Eno Preparative 
Meeting, and returned to Jesse Towel's, twenty-six miles ; 25th, 
I laid by and wrote letters; 26th, we attended Spring Monthly 
Meeting; 27th, we were at Rocky river Meeting, and took 
dinner with our worthy, aged Friend, David Vestal; 28th and 
29th, we traveled sixty-eight miles and reached Archibald Mor- 
man's for the second time ; 30th, we had a meeting at Samuel 
Chauncey's, and tarried with him the following night. The 
1st of 7th month, we had a second meeting at Rockingham ; 
2d, we reached Piney grove, in South Carolina, and made our 
home with John Thomas. 4th, first day, we attended Piney 
grove meeting, which was large and favored ; a tender, humb- 
ling time ; 5th, 6th and 7th,, we >spent in visiting the families 
of that meeting ; 8th, we attended their mid-week meeting, 
which was a solemn, parting opportunity, and proved a final 
parting with several of us, who had become much bound to- 
gether in spirit; 9th, set out for Bush river; 10th, we got to 
Camden, seventy miles on our way, and had a meeting there 
on first day, the 11th, which was large and favored. We 
made our home with Samuel Mathers, a Methodist preacher, 
who treated us with Christian kindness, and was verv helpful in 
getting a house for the meeting, and notifying the people. We 
had another meeting in the evening, in the same house, to good 
satisfaction. Here, I was shown the ground where Friends held 
their Quarterly Meeting for sixty years, and was told that Friends 
once had a large, good house there ; but the ground then lay 
commons. I asked what had become of Friends, and was told 
they all moved off in a body, except a few who had since 
died, and one old man. The Quakers told us for several 
years, that if we did not use our slaves better they would quit 
the country, for they could not endure to see it; but we did 
not believe them until we saw them go, and sorry enough we 
are that they are gone, for they were good inhabitants. This 
gave me a fair opportunity to reason with them on the subject, 
and show^ how inconsistent it was with good policy or humani- 
ty, and repugnant to the very nature of all the Divine attri- 



194 JOURNAL OF 

butes, and entirely incompatible with every precept of the 
Gospel. They acknowledged it was wrong, but complained 
they bad got tbem ; their fathers had left them on their hands, 
and they did not know what to do with them ; then 1 fathers 
had done them a great evil. Here they chose to stop, and 
cuxl down on their fathers' sins, making that a conch of secu- 
rity. They seemed to have no disposition to ease their slaves' 
burdens, or mitigate their|distress, nor yet to look forward for 
their enlargement ; but the plea was, we have got them, and 
must keep them, and keep a strict hand over them, or they 
will be saucy and rebel. So I said, no blindness so great as 
willful blindness ; no sin so hardening to heart and searing to 
the conscience, as the sin against light and knowledge. 

The 12th, resumed our journey for Bush Eiver, over a hilly, 
rough country. "\Te lodged at a small village called TVnms- 
borough. Here, we thought best to stop and propose a meet- 
ing with the people, which was readily complied with. It was 
held on the 13th; the people were civil, and appeared well sat- 
isfied, and I felt much relieved. Our landlord's name was Hugh 
Barclay. 14th, we started, expecting our next night's lodging 
would be at Bush River. It was a heavy day's travel, over a 
hilly, dry country ; the water was very poor, which is not com- 
mon in a hilly country. I was taken sick on the road, vomiting 
heavily several times, but continued our travel, and arrived at the 
widow Hannah Kelly's, where we put up for the night. 15th, 
continuing sick, we moved to Isaac Kirks, an able man, who had 
a good open heart to take us in, and do all he could for me. 
When we got there they were just going to meeting, but I was not 
able to go with them. My sickness proved to be the billious 
colic, and I was confined here among sympathizing, kind 
Friends, till first day, the 18th, by which time I had so recruit- 
ed as to be able to attend their meeting; and notice having 
spread of our being in the place, the meeting was large. The 
Master of Israels 1 assemblies was pleased renewedly to visit that 
people, and cause the water of His love to be plentifully show- 



josErn no ag. 195 

ere J on His heritage, to the tendering of many precious minds. 
May it be productive of fruitfulness unto holiness ! 

The 19 tli, we had a meeting in Newberry Court House, 
which was large, and the people very attentive and quiet. 20th, 
we appointed a meeting at New Chapel, it was large, In both 
these meetings my mind was enlarged in the love of the Gospel, 
and the doctrines thereof, flowed freely to the people. 21st, 
we had a meeting with Friends by themselves — a humbling, 
parting opportunity, not easy to be forgotten by me. 2 2d, we 
set out for Xorth Carolina, and rode thirty-one miles through 
a hilly, stony country, James Galbreth being our pilot. 23d, 
pursued our journey through that hilly country, and drove forty- 
four miles ; 21th, we drove to Statesville, forty-two miles. 25th, 
first day, by driving twenty-three miles, we got to Hunting Creek 
Meeting; though late, I was glad to findmyself among my Friends 
once more. Xot feeling clear, I proposed a meeting there the 
next day, which was readily complied with. It was large and 
favored, much to the relief of my drooping mind. The 27th, 
we had a meeting at Swan Creek ; this was also to good satisfac- 
tion. After which, we rode to Deep Creek, and had an appoint- 
ed meeting there on the 2 8th. The spring of gospel life ran free- 
ly ; 29th, we went to TTestfield twenty-five miles. I was taken 
sick on the road, and was not able to travel or attend meeting 
till first day, the 1st of 8th month, when I got out to West- 
field meeting. Here I parted with my agreeable companion, 
Jesse Towel, who had been with me through this southern 
tour. 

2d of the month we set forward to cross the Blue Ridge, to 
go to Fruit Hill, thirty-five miles; I think the worst road of 
the length that I ever drove a carriage over. 3d, attended 
Fruit Hill Meeting; I had Nathan Cgles for companion, at 
whose house I had been confined at Westfield, where I was 
kindly nursed. 4th, we were at Mount Pleasant Meeting. It 
was small. Y^e lodged with John MeLane. From here I had 
to ride on horse back fifteen miles, to Chestnuts. Previous to 
my arrival, I had to stop for refreshment; the fare was poor, 



196 JOURNAL OF 

but the people were kind. We got to meeting in season ; it 
was small ; the country was hard, and Friends poor. After 
meeting we set forward on our return to Mount Pleasant, but 
failing, I did not get in until near one o'clock next day, 6th. 
On the 7th, by the doctor's direction, I took an emetic, which 
operated so violently, that it nearly overcame nature, and I lay 
about six hours nearly as cold as a corpse, until they boiled a 
large vessel of water with a quantity of bitter herbs. They 
put me in this warm bath, and rubbed me faithfully with the 
boiled herbs ; this promoted a warmth, and restored nature to 
action. The emetic turned down, operated powerfully, and I 
revived ; but it broke the fever which had been hanging about 
me for several months. I sweat profusely for about twelve 
hours, which reduced me very low. I think I never was 
brought so near the grave, in my life, before. I was taken to 
John McLane's, on account of his wife being a good nurse, and 
I had never before fallen into the hands of one, equal to her in 
skhTand motherly affection, so that when. I think of her, my 
heart glows with gratitude, much desiring, and fully believing, 
that the Lord will richly reward her for her kindness to me, a 
stranger in a strange land. 

I was confined from traveling until the 20th, except to at- 
tend Westfield Quarterly Meeting, and in the latter part of the 
time I sat with Friends twice in their little meeting at Mount 
Pleasant. After attending the Quarter, I visited Fruit Hill and 
Pine Creek meetings ; returned to Mount Pleasant, and attend- 
ed their Preparative Meeting the 27th, and their Monthly 
Meeting, the 28th; both of them were small and weak. 29th, 
first day, was at Chestnut Creek meeting again, after which, I 
returned to Mount Pleasant, where I met my intended compan- 
ion for Tennessee — Caleb Carson. 

On the 30th, we set out for Tennessee. We had to cross 
the Blue Eidge. The first day we traveled twenty-eight miles, 
the 2d day, thirty-eight miles. The 1st of 9th month we trav- 
eled thirty miles; the 2d, not more than twenty miles. We 
turned over our carriage, damaging it considerably, so that we 



josepii no ag. 197 

had much difficulty in getting amongst Friends. The first 
Friend's house we came to was Isaac Hammer's, where we put 
up for the night. From here, we went to Isaac Beat's, and 
mended our carriage. The day following, we had a comforta- 
ble meeting. The next meeting was at New Hope, and 
the day following at the little meeting at Tick Creek. In all 
the above meetings I was led much in the line of doctrine. 
Friends here generally lived comfortably, but none of them 
rich ; they seemed to be pleasant company for one another, no 
distinctions to feed jealousy or promote pride, so that it was 
much easier getting along here than in many other places. We 
had a large meeting at Canada Spring, (about, the time the 
Methodists were holding their Ckmp Meeting, not far distant), 
to which many of the Methodists came. I was led to show that 
the work of religion was a work carried on between God and 
the soul of man. I was also led to show that while the soul 
kept its attention on the spirit of the Lord, which began the 
work of reformation in and upon it, every advance in the 
growth, of grace, from stature to stature, was known in the com- 
munion that was held between the spirit of the Lord and the soul ; 
and when the spirit of the Lord was believed in and obeyed, it 
dictated all our duties to God, our fellow creatures, and our- 
selves ; and the duties so done were always acceptable with the 
Lord, while all man-contrived devotion and will-worship, is re- 
jected by Him. They took offense at my remarks, and after I 
was gone, they charged me with. false doctrine. I give a little 
sketch of this meeting as an introduction to what will come in 
course before I leave the country. 

After meeting we rode to Lost Creek, fifteen miles. 9th, we 
had a large, favored, satisfactory meeting with Friends and oth- 
ers of that place. 10th, we had a small meeting at the Valley. 
11th, we had a little meeting at Grassy Eun. A number of 
these little meetings were once larger, many having moved 
away, to get out of a slave country, and left a few scattering 
ones in each place, who do not seem willing to give up holding 
their meetings, though some of them were but little more than 



198 JOURNAL OF 

ceremony. They seemed in an uneasy and unhappy situation, 
sq that I thought these had better follow their brethren ; yet I 
think, that had Friends of that part of the country kept togeth- 
er, and been faithful to their principles, and stood their 
ground, they might have done much good to, and for the 
oppressed black people, who have but few to plead their cause ; 
and I think they would have done much better than moving 
away. In that part of the country there are many not Friends, 
who are very uneasy with slavery ; so that I think, where 
Truth shakes the foundation of iniquity, Friends had better 
keep the ground and hold up the standard of light and Truth 
to the people. 

The 12th, we went to Newberry, twenty-five miles. 13th, 
we lay by to give opportunity for the notice of the meeting, 
Friends living scattered. 14th, we had a large, good meeting 
at that pfece. 1 5th, we started to return, but not feeling clear, 
we turned back, and had a meeting about five miles southward 
of Friends' Meeting-house, on the 16th, and then returned to 
Friends. 17th, we visited families. 18th, we started for Lost 
Creek. We stopped on our way, at Knoxville, to take breakfast. 
The Indians having made an invasion on the frontiers of the 
white inhabitants, it was a time of general alarm while I was 
there. Beino- taken into the room where the General was with 
his officers ; the sergeants made their returns to the Gene- 
ral, that they had warned every man that the law required to 
do military duty, Quakers and all, and there had not one Qua- 
ker appeared on the ground. In the meantime the General 
looked sharply at me, as I was walking the room, and said, 
"Well, we have lost a number of our frontier inhabitants, and 
some of our soldiers, and a people who would not defend the 
frontier inhabitants, when the savages were destroying and 
scalping them, could not be considered friends to their country, 
and should have no favor from him." He then said, "How do 
you like this doctrine, stranger V I answered, "It is no doc- 
trine for me ; I have little or no opinion of it." He asked, 
"Why ?" I said, "The people with whom I commune, who 



josepii iioag. 199 

are sound in their principles, are all King's men to a man, and 
are remarkably attached to their King, and our King told Pon- 
tius Pilate, that His kingdom was not of this world, for if it 
was, then would His servants right that He should not be deliv- 
ered to the Jews ; that His kingdom was not from hence, and 
that His kingdom was our kingdom ; that He had nothing to 
fight for in this world, neither have we ; and you warriors are 
fighting for the riches, honor, and glory of this world, and when 
you have got them, you cannot stay with them. We choose 
to lay up our riches, and have our treasures, where the rust 
cannot mar them, nor thieves nor warriors get them from us." 
The General sat down, but soon rose with these words, "I am not 
going to give up the argument so ; I see by the look of your eye, 
that you are no coward ; you are a soldier ; and if an Indian was 
to come into your house to kill your wife and children, you would 
fight." I answered, "As for cowardice, I ever despised it," but 
pointing toward the guns standing in the house with bayonets on 
them, "General, it would take twelve such men as thou art — 
and then you would not do it — to make me take hold of a gun 
or pistol, to take the life of a fellow creature," and looked him 
full in the face. He said, "I see you do not deny the sword." 
I replied, "No ; I profess to be a swordsman, that is the weap- 
on I go into the field with — a sw T ord that never w T as beaten in 
the field nor foiled in battle." He turned and sat down, but 
not long, and said, "I will bring you to the point. If an Indi- 
an was to come into your house, with his knife and tomahawk, 
and you knew he would kill you, your wife, and children, and 
you knew you could kill him and save all your lives, you would 
kill him ; if you did not, you would be guilty of the death of 
the whole." I thought it time to look for a close, and propos- 
ed a standard to bring the argument to, that should decide it, 
but he declined. I then asked him if he professed to be a 
Christian, a Jew, or a Mahometan? He declined awhile. I 
then added, if he were a Jew, he was not prepared to fight ; 
his men were not circumcised, he had not burnt a sin offering, 
nor a peace offering. He exclaimed, "I profess to be a Chris- 



200 JOURNAL OF 

tian ; I am not a Jew or a Turk," I asked him if he believed 
Jesus Christ was the author of the Christian dispensation." He 
said, "Yes." I asked him, if he believed Him sufficiently equal 
to the work as God himself, as he received all the works of 
God to do. He said, "He did." I then told him, I should 
keep him to the Christian platform or creed, laid down by Je- 
sus Christ ; and that he would not deny that a Christian was 
fit to live or die — I meant a true Christian. He said a true 
Christian was fit to live or die. I then told him I would give 
the subject a fair statement, and he might judge. I proceeded 
thus : "I shall state, that myself and wife are true Christians, 
and our children are in the minority — and thou know est it is 
natural for children to believe what their parents teach them 
— and therefore we are all true Christians as far as our several 
capacities enable us to be ; and now the question lies here ; 
which is most like the precepts and example of our King — the 
author of the Chistian religion — to lay down our lives, and all 
go to heaven together ; or kill that wicked Indian, and send 
him to hell ; for he must be in as wicked a state as he can be, 
to kill a family that would not hurt him. General, it is a seri- 
ous thing to send wicked folks to hell ; they have no chance to 
come back and mend their ways ; and thou dost not know, but 
that if that wicked Indian was spared he might feel remorse 
enough to make him repent, so as to find forgiveness, and go 
to heaven. I really believe, I should feel much better to see 
him come there than to send him to hell ; and that is not all, 
General; when I killed that wicked Indian, and sent him to 
hell, I imbrued my hands in human blood ; before, they were 
clean ; but now they are stained deep in the crimson gore. 
Canst thou make thyself believe, that I stand as good a chance 
to get to heaven, as to die when my hands were clean, and I 
innocent of human blood ? And besides, our King who was 
Lord of all, had disciples and many women who looked up to 
Him for protection, as much as a wife to a husband, or children 
to their father. Did He, when the wicked Jews came out with 
staves to take Him, cut off those wicked creatures, and send 



JOSEPH HOAG. 201 

them to hell, when ho could 1 ave t lie command of twelve le- 
gi ns of angels? Ele did n >t act without reas »n, He knew if 
]\e cut them off they must g > to h I 1 ; and I le knew if lie 'ad 
d )\\n His life. Ho was g >ing to heaven ; and neither thou nor 
I knows, bu1 some of the pour creatures repented of their con- 
duct, ami found forgiveness, and are now in heaven, glorifying 
Hi- name for sparing them. Now General, was He guilty of 
suicide? Thou wilt answer, He came into the world for this 
purp >se. 1 reply that we are brought into the world to obey 
his commands, and to follow his example, and do likewise if 
called on; and, General, we find Fie had one soldier ainonor 
His followers, who drew his sword and fought like a valiant for 
his Lor I. But what then said his Lord? Did He say, thou 
art a go«>d fellow. I will promote thee f-r this? Or, did He 
not say, put up thy sword into i s sheath, f.»r they that use the 
sword shall perish with the sword. General, thou will do well 
to r< member that saying; it is the word of a King. 

The General made no answer, but sat an 1 hung his head -for 
some time. One of the company at length replied, ih Well, 
stranger, if all the world was of your mind, I would turn and 
follow after." I replied, " so then thou hast a mind to be the 
last man in the world to be good. I have a mind to be one of 
the first, and set the rest the examp e." This made the Gene- 
ral smile. He got up and wimt out at the door, and ordered 
his officers to let me go where I pleased, and not to interfere ; 
then turned and came in, 1 was then walking the floor, and 
after a little discourse, the General said, " well, stranger, there 
are a great many of your sort of people in this State." I an- 
swered, "yes, and I hope thou finds them an honest, industri- 
ous, peacable people; good inhabitants to populate and clear 
up a new country, and make it valuable." He said, " yes, they 
are an industrious, harmless people." We v ere both on our 
feet. 1 turned, and looked him full in the face, and spoke with 
some emphasis. hi General, canst thou say that an honest, in- 
dustri »us people, wh > will harm nobody, are enemies to their 
country \ " He paused awhile, and said, •' No, and they shall 
12 



have div pretc : id you have the 

d felt easy that all was be done. 

the same mans word who had said, nld be 

shown the Quakers." now pledge his honor to protect tJ 

Arter some more conversation, we parted vet" We 

refreshed and went on : and after getting alone and I 

all over, I said in my heart, " Lord, what hast XI 

Thou wast near me and I | i 3d it not ; . ended me 

through, and I knew it not The honoi rod the pi 

Thine ; Thou hast magnified Thy own fa exalted the 

eause of righteousness in the eyes of e 

the tongue of the lofty to change, and hast caused the mi 

to feel Thy power to be over them all, to the pi :' Thy 

ever blessed name ! " 

The 19th. we attended Lost Creek Preparative ] 
20th. we attended Grassy Valley Pro 1 1 : :L 

of these I had relieving service to my mi 
tion ; but not feelii ... jleai )i Kj 
whilst the army lay there. 21st, we had a 
officers, soldiers, and inhabitants — a 
place that would accommodate thoi] \ 
my good Master, gave strength suffic 
all the fear of man from me. and famished me \ 
holdfbrth the beauties of the pea 
the Lamb of God bo view fcl 

in the enjoyment oi social society in love, 
ness : that love which mo ill to its . at pro- 

moteth. peace, and spreadeth joy in the human family. Thus, 
I was led to hold up the warrior's wc; theii U 

hues, and • h in makiii 

and fatherless children, with the other evils attendant, and had 
to contrast the subject-, so they wc k me in the face, 

look down on their swords, 
and some of them shed tears. 
ion over them all. The power of the 



jo.- 203 

lienor belongeth. After meeting, I thought to get away soon, 

but before I could start, a man came to me with a number of 
silver pieces in his hand, to reward me for my service, and 
urged me to take them, and to stay three-quarters of an hour, 
and they would raise something handsome for me, for that was 
not half enough ; the people wanted to do it, and I ought to 
receive it, for I well deserved it. So that I was obliged to take 
up the subject at large, and give them my reasons why I could 
not take even one piece of the money. They gathered around, 
and looked on me like people amazed, until I had done, and 
then the man who held the money looked on me and said, " I 
believe you are sincere and conscientious in it, but I think you 
are a little bigoted, and we are sorry, for we think you ought 
to take the money." I acknowledged their respect, and was 
glad to get away so well, and returned to Lost Creek. 

The 22 d, we attended that Monthly Meeting. 23d, first day, 
we were at Canada Creek Meeting. Notice being given of our 
being there, a number of Methodists came in. This was the 
place where the Methodists accused me of false doctrine when 
here before, but now I had to take up the subject of silent wor- 
ship at large, and show from many scripture texts, that silence 
was an ordinance of heaven — as preparatory to all right devo- 
tion. I was led to bring into view the silence in heaven for 
the space of half an hour, and what transpired after it ; also 
Elijah being silent in the cave's mouth, when the wind, the fire, 
and the earthquake passed by, and the Lord was in none of them, 
and was led. to show what transpired after it, in confirmation 
that silent worship was acceptable with God, and a necessary 
preparation for all other devotion ; then sat down. I had not 
sat long before I found my mind drawn to take up the subject 
of prayer, and call to remembrance the Lord's instruction how 
to behave in prayer; that Christians were not to make long 
prayers as the heathen did, thinking they should be heard for 
their much speaking ; nor to bio w the trumpet to call people 
to hear them pray ; nor to stand in corners of the streets to be 



204 JOURNAL OF 

heard or seen of men ; but to pray to their Father, who was in 
secret, and who would reward the n openly. 

When we returned to John Kennedy's, after meeting, the 
aged Friend, remarked that, he did not know but th.it his 
prayer was answered; for the Methodists had said so much 
about my false doctrine, that he had craved that I might come 
back and have another meeting with them, and clear the way. 
He thought I had been enabled to answer every objection aud 
every cavil, as plainly as though I had heard them ; and that, 
too, in the hearing of the objectors, in such a manner, that he 
saw no way but they must be still and quiet now. He could 
but marvel at the goodness of Providence to his people. Then 
remarked, thy last testimony crowned all the rest ; for in their 
Camp Meeting they blow the trumpet to apprise the people, 
and when they thought they had time to wash and prepare 
themselves, they blow the trumpet to call them to prayers. 
And when they had time to breakfast, they blew the trumpet 
to call them into the camp. So that when thou came over 
the blowing of the trumpet, and the manner of parade, it so fitly 
applied, that the Minister who sat before thee, dropped his 
faea I that had held up before, and he did not raise it again 
until thou sat down. So that I think it is evident that the 
Truth arose in do inion over all opposition ; a favor that we 
ought to be thankful for. And truly the account was hum- 
bling to my soul. 24th, we drove about ten miles on our way, 
stopped and had a meeting; after which, we drove ten miles 
and put up with Jacob Killpatrick. 25th, we drove but twen- 
ty-four miles; it- being very rainy, we stopped with Friends at 
Lick Creek. 26th, we had a satisfactory meeting with them. 
After meeting we drove to Newhope, and had a meeting with 
them on fifth day. After meeting, we drove to the widow Eliza- 
beth Powell, in Limestone Settlement, and had a meeting with 
them on 6th day of the week. In these last meVtings the way 
was opened, and I was favored so with utterance, that I i It 
fully relieved, and at liberty to bid farewell to Friends, and that 
country, for that time. 



JOSEPH HOAG. 205 

The 2d of 10th month, we sot forward for Westfield, in 
N«»rth Carolina, and arrived there the 10th of themonth. We 
attended hut one meeting in the time, and traveled three hun- 
dred miles across the most hilly, mountainous country, tl at I 
bad ever traveled. 11th, I attended Westfield Monthly Meet- 
and was glad to get amongst Friends again. 12ih, first- 
day, I attended that meeting again, to my own, and Friend's 
satisfaction and comfort. 13th, I left Deep Creek, and readied 
there about the middle of the next day, 15th, I had a second 
meeting- there. 16th, had a satisfactory meeting at Hunting 
Creek, and took dinner after it with Daniel Burnsides. 17th, 

I went to Swan -Creek, and had a good meeting there on the 
' <** © 

18th. 19th, I returned to Deep Creek, and was with Friends 
of that place, on first day, 20th. 21st, in company with Jol»n 
Jackson, I had a meeting at a town called Rockford, on the 
east side of the Yadkin River. From there wo returned to 
Westfield, and lay by on the 22d, waiting for company, being 
bound for the Yearly Meeting of Xorth Carolina, to be held at 
New Garden. 23d, we crossed Surrytown mountains, and put 
up at night with Latham Folger. 24th, we drove to Barnabas 
Coffin's, Deep River. 26th, I attended the Yearly Meeting for 
Ministers and Elders. 27th, first day, attended meeting at the 
same house. At this meeting I hurt my testimony by speak- 
ing fast, fearing I should be in the way of others. 28th, the 
Yearly Meeting for business commenced, and hold by adjourn- 
ment several days. Much deep exercise was witnessed on ac- 
count «>f the many deficiencies, which through declension, had 
cr pt into our Society ; so that there was much disorder in the 
Yearly Meeting, by young people going in and out, who were 
not members accompanied by young* Friends ; so much 'so that 
I proposed to appoint door-keepers to prevent the disorder, 
which the meeting did ; yet a member of Friends were highly 
offended with it, so that I had much arduous, and painful la- 
bor through this Yearly Meeting, on account of the many 
wrongs not done away. There were many colored children 



206 JOURNAL OF 

amongst them, who were in no way for obtaining learning to fit 
them for business ; and when I talked with some Friends on 
the subject, they replied, that if they gave them learning, it 
wonld make them saucy, and they would feel themselves as 
good as white folks. There were others who felt concerned for 
them, and wished them to have learning ; but there were few 
who were willing to put forth the hand ; so that I felt a neces- 
sity laid heavy upon me, to labor honestly, faithfully, and plain- 
ly with Friends on that, and several other accounts, which lay 
heavy on me. But it did not suit them in general, and only a 
few would receive it. Bat my good Master strengthened me 
so from day to day, to bear the testimony which he gave me, 
that when the meeting closed I felt easy, clear, and richly re- 
warded with the returns of that peace, which no man could 
take from me. 

- After this meeting, my way being shut up as to any further 
gospel labors in this land, I set out for home and traveled four- 
teen days, without any stop except what nature called for, until 
I got to Stroudsburgh, in Pennsylvania. There I stopped a 
week and rested my horses, got my clothes washed, and then 
started again, and reached home in about ten days ; found my 
family and Friends generally in good health, after an absence of 
thirteen months, having passed through many deep wadings, 
and witnessed the arm of the Lord to carry my soul through 
heights and depths. It is all of His power and mercy which 
hath sustained me hitherto. Honored, worshiped, and adored 
be His goodness, and His holy name for evermore, saith my 
soul ! 

Several years have passed, in which I had to make several 
short religious visits in different parts of my own Yearly Meet- 
ing. Not having regularly dated minutes, I pass by them, and 
take up the following account to close my first visit in North 
Carolina. After getting through South Carolina, I expected 
from there to go home, but after getting from Chestnuts, among 
the mountains, I was taken very sick, and was confined most of 



E] H 110 AC. 207 

the time for several weeks, at Mt. Pleasant, and at one time so 
low, they thought I Was dying, and I thought so myself. At this 
time I was seriously looking over, to find if all was well to leave 
the world, and the Lord showed me that I was not to die yet. 
I had got to attend North Carolina Yearly Meeting and several 
others, a:: place, deliver what He gave me, and 

see that I did not tiiru to the right hand nor to the left. Short- 
er, I was able to get into my carriage and close my visit 
in Tennessee, and return to North Carolina. I visited one 
ting, and two Monthly Meetings before the Year- 
eting came on, and found close, searching labor in all of 
them, much more so than is cdmmon for me in such meetings. 
i the accounts were presented to the Yearly Meeting from 
the different Quarters, there appeared much disorder and weak- 
ness among them ; I found my mind arrested to labor much, 
plain and clear ; among the rest, my mind was arrested with, 
weight, for a length of time, which I sat under, until I was not 
able to attend to their business sufficiently to know how it was 
going on. I then informed them there w r as a subject on my 
mind, and continued with me so heavy that I saw no other 
way but to leave it where I found it. The subject is this— it is 
not good for Ministers and Elders to mount their horses and 
ride round the country to electioneer to get a slave-holder for 
an assembly-man— it is not consistent with our principles. I 
was led to show that while we were bearing a testimony against 
slavery, to ride round and endeavor to get in an assembly-man 
who was determined to support slavery, was not consist- 
ent, and was led to treat the subject very plain, and clear, to 
show the encouragement it gave for other Friends to do so 
likewise ; that it was not good ; Friends had better keep out of 
the mixture. I sat down, feeling great peace of mind, and had 
but little more service through the meeting. 

When the meeting closed, my certificate was not given me ; 
when one-third were out of the house, I found the clerks 
crouched down behind the door writing on the back of it. I 
took it and walked into the vard and ^aw what was put (writ- 



208 JOURNAL OF 

ten) upon it, that the Yearly Meeting knew nothing about as a 
Y irly Meeting; writteninl '.and 

signed l>y it- clerk 

I soon fell in \ulh I'- V . the Rssi tant clerk, and 

asked him what it meant. Wit a goo 1 deal «»f em] 
sail, -h, thy con 'net 1ms ruined the Yearly Meeting. I qu 
with him wherein : lie did not let me kn >w, but i 
had wounded a great many Friends' feelings, and ruined tie 
Yearly Meeting, and that I had no business here; I had ought 
to have gone home. I let him know that I knew better, and 
gave him a shut account how I knew that I had done my Mas- 
ter's work faithfully, and got my reward — a good reward, so 
that they could not help it ; which seemed to cheek him a little. 
We soon parted. Being yet feeble, I thought it best to leave 

as soon as I could. There was one D Q , of my own 

Yearly Meeting that came home and reported that I was sent 
home, w bich was altogether false, as there was never such a 
word or hint given me ; for what was put on my certificate was 
not an act of the Yearly Meeting, but was left so n > one could 
tell wl at was meant. 

I returned home and had it to muse upon for five years, be, 
fore I knew what it meant. When I visited that country a 

second time, I fell in with M C , an Elder of the same 

place, who asked me if I knew what it was that offended 

N II , and his brother, (who were clerks of the 

Yearly Meeting when I was there before), I replied, no. He 

then said, N -H persuaded me to ride with him to 

electioneer for such a man. I rode with him one day and a hah', 
and told him I coald not ride any more, as I did not feel rig' t, 
left him, and he rode alone. This iufluenc : man in : after 

lie was in, he made sport of it. sayi Quakers were 

feols as to think he would favor le hardest 

man against Friend- they had in a great whil ■, and after v 
was detected in Pennsylvania in ki .1 iuipris- 

omiiwiit, and Lad to pay a heavy fine 



JOSEPH IIOAG, 209 

When I hoard all this, T wa<* amazed, for the Lord knew, and 
lo this day, that He laid it up«»n me to deliver it there in 

the meeting, a- I neve:* had a thought that X I! ,' or 

any in his station, would go into such business, until I had to de- 
. . Vv hen I look it over, to this day, ii gives me a gloomy * 
ig, for lie fought against the living truth, and his 'tantaliz- 
as hard to bear. 



CHAPTER VIL 

Ok the 24th of 9th month, 1816, having obtained the unitv 
of my own Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, I set out with Se- 
lah Gregory, a member of my own Monthly Meeting, to pay a 
religious visit to Friends and others, within the compass of 
Philadelphia, Baltimore and North Carolina Yearly Meetings. 
On my way, I visited my daughter, Elizabeth. Taber, living in 
Chester, State of New York, and sat with the few Friends of 
that meeting, and had two appointed meetings with other peo- 
ple, to good satisfaction. I was always glad that I made this 
little visit, for I never saw my truly beloved son-in-law, James 
Taber, after ; for, before I returned, he was laid in the grave. 
He told me a little before we parted, that he should not live 
long ; spoke with much assurance, and made some feeling re- 
marks on himself, the situation of their meeting, and why it 
was so. He was a bright, talented, clean-handed, sweet-spirit- 
ed man. 

From here we went to Queensbury, and attended that 
•Monthly Meeting. I was enabled to clear my mind to solid 
satisfaction. Thence, we went direct to Stanton Hill, and at- 
tended that meeting on first-day, which was large and much 
favored. After meeting, we drove to Athens ; from thence to 
Cornwall, where we tarried two nights, attended Cornwall mid- 
week meeting, and took our leave of the last meeting in our 
own Yearly Meeting on our way. The next stop amongst 
Friends, was at Stroudsburgh, in Pennsylvania, where we arriv- 
ed on seventh-day evening. Yv T e attended that meeting on 
First-day, and had another in the afternoon ; both to good sat- 
isfaction. Thence we went across the country to Wilkesliarre, 



Joseph no ag. 211 

on the great flats of Susquehannah, where we found a few mem- 
bers of our Society, with whom, and the inhabitants of the 
place, we had an exercising meeting ; but the Good Head of 
the Church raised the standard of Truth, over the head of giant 
opposition — to the praise of His own name ! 

We went up the river about twenty miles, where we found a 
number of our members. With them and their neighbors, we 
had a comfortable, refreshing meeting. After this, we went for 
Berwick, and got there on seventh-day, the 19th of the 10th 
month, and attended that meeting on first-day. 21st, we had 
a meeting at Fishing Creek. Here is a good-sized meeting, and 
some valuable Friends. Wje passed from this to Muncy, 
and attended their Monthly Meeting the 26th. It was small 
and weak, many having moved away. The life of pure religion 
appeared very low in these parts, and a worldly spirit much 
cherished. Next we went to a small meeting on the mountain, 
called Elkland, consisting of a few families of poor Friends, who 
were rejoiced with the visit. We were favored with the com- 
forting presence of the Shiloh of Peace. When I had returned 
to Muncy, I was almost sick with fatigue, for I had to ride on 
horseback, the roads being uncommonly bad. Soon after we 
got to our quarters, a neighboring woman, a ministering Friend, 
came in, and inquired how we got along, and what kind of a 
meeting we had. I replied, "They were glad to see us, and we 
were not sorry we had been with them; and that we had a 
good comfortable meeting." She exclaimed, "I am glad, I have 
wanted to go there these four months, and could not; and 
when you came into the place, I prayed that you might have 
to go." I remarked, that I had seen many who were fond of 
cutting out work, and were ingenious at it, who would not put 
forth a finger to make it up. She paused a little and said, "It 
is no matter ; for I have Igard say, that if a garment is well 
cut out, a bungler can make it up." So I concluded I had got 
my returns in ready change, and would let it go at that. 

We staid at Muncy, and attended their first-day meeting the 
27th,- and had another at evening, in Penn's village. 28th, we 



*»^ 



212 JOCRNAL OF 

had n meeting at Pine — ■ — , anH another in the evening at 
[am p »;'t. somewhat favored. I have liad 3 1 . the 
■' a d >ng t . . :- th - [1 Ka- 

trines of the gospel are most Deeded to be held forth; but 
gst Friends in th se parts, it lias b en abundantly my 

lly spirii : beds of ease, and a form of go Hi— 
lie-- without the life ami power— hard places to get entry, pain- 
slings, and laborious to get along with. We re- 
turned to Muncy, and attended their mid-week meeting, and 
Fishing Cr ek mid-week meeting. We then took Rr 
Creek ami Catawissa meetings; in them very litrl of the life 
of GU>j>pel k»ve was felt 3 and they were not overdone with the 
form. 

First-day. the 3d of 11th month, at three in the afternoon, 
we had a meeting at a village about three miles from Catawissa. 
Thence we went to a place called Buffalo, and had a meeting 
in that place. Here we parted with Henry Batten, a kind 
Frien 1 an 1 Elder, wh • ha 1 been with us for several weeks, as a 
pilot and company; and also Chandly Eves, who had in kind- 
ness found ns horses to travel with one week, ami took oar 
horses ami fed them well during that time ; being Friends to 
us in the needful time, in a strange land : so that it seemed like 
parting with own br others. We passed on to Bcllefonte — two 
days travel. The day following, we had a meeting with 
Friends and others, at Bald Eagles, to the comfort of Friends 
:. and our own peace. The next day had a meeting at 
Millsbury idllage; this also was to good satisfaction. We had 
another at evening in Belhfonte village; it was large, and an 
open, fav 1 iting. From this, we went t 1 Half-Moon set- 

tl -in nt of Friend*, and atte rle ! that re Ling on First-day. 
Then *ent to Ghe ut fifty miles, and across the Al- 

smaU indulge 1 meeting. We had a comfortable 
meeting with them, and had anoth dn^. sixteen miles 

on our return to flalf-Moon, where we pat up widi < ; 
Wilson. Havi my min 1 of this part 

of the country , we parsed on for Dunning's Creek, and arrived 



JOSEPH HOAG. 218 

on seventh-day evening, and attended that meeting on first-day, 
the 1 7th. Tins was the largest body of Friends we had falien 
in with, but they were not without the trouble of false bret h- 

ren , into a sense of it my Master plunged me, and helped me 
out again; much to the relief of my mind and I hope to the 
strengthening of the hands of the upright. We appointed a 
meeting at four in the afternoon, for those not of our Society ; 
it was a very crowded, satisfactory meeting. Thence, to Pipe 
Creek, one hundred miles steady travel, in order to attend 
Warrington Quarterly Meeting, which was held the 25th of 
11th month. It was a favored meeting; the presence of the 
Master of Israel's assemblies was felt to be over nil, through the 
several sittings of the Quarterly 'Meeting. The business was 
conducted in much condescension and harmony. 

From this, we went to Mon alien meeting on fifth-day. In 
the verge of this meeting, our aged Friend Abel Thomas, a 
faithful Minister, spent his last days. We made his family a 
visit, which was acceptable to his lonely widow. We took 
Huniingdon, Warrington, and Newbury. In all these meetings 
I had t-ti come to close labor and plain testimony, particularly 
in the latter. The 1st of 12th montu, first-day, we v. ere at the 
meeting in York in Pennsylvania. On third-day. we went to 
Faron, and had a meeting tbere <>n fourth-day. On fifth-day, 
we had one at. Deer Creek. Here I was kd to speak en the 
subject of Nebuchadnezzar's Sitting up an image, and compell- 
ing all others to worship it ; showing the principle, its rise, and 
unfeeling cruelty ; that it was very far from a Christian spirit. 
I was told after meeting, that there was a man at meeting, who 
had for a long time retrained from eating flesh of any kind, and 
had got so strong set in it, that of late he had compelled his 
family to refrain from eating flesh, against their belief; not 
suffering it to be cooked, or eaten in his house by any one; 
and the reason he gave, was. that his God commanded him to 
do so, and that it was his duty to make his family comply with 
it, whether they saw it a duty or not. Friends v\ere rejoiced, 
in hopes the communication would be of use. The account 



214 JOURNAL OF 

was truly strengthening to my mind, on my own account, for I 
had weighed it for several days, under great depression of 
spirits. 

On sixth day, we were at Bush river meeting, and seventh 
day we had a meeting at the Forest. First day, we attended 
at Little Falls ; it was a lively, comfortable meeting. Second 
day, we rode to Gunpowder, and met with Friends of that 
place. There, were sympathizing Friends, who had to wade 
along under the pressure of a gainsaying, worldly spirit, in their 
professed brethren. 11th, we attended the upper meeting in 
Baltimore. 12th, we attended the lower meeting. While in 
this place, we made our home with John McKim ; staid until 
first day, the 15th, and attended the upper meeting, where 
there appeared much rubbish. My good Master enabled me 
to bear a faithful testimony amongst them, and rewarded me 
well for it. We had a meeting the same day, about five miles 
from the citv, towards Eli Ridge* Third dav, we had a meet- 
ing at Elk Ridge. Fourth day, we went to Bush Creek, and 
next day had a meeting there. Sixth day, we attended Sandy 
Spring Monthly Meeting. Seventh day, we went to Indian 
Spring, and attended that meeting on first day. Second day, 
we rode to "Washington, and had a meeting in the city on third 
day evening. Fourth day, we had a meeting at Alexandria in 
the evening. Fifth day, we rode to Waterford, and repaired 
our wagon on sixth day, and had a meeting there on seventh 
day. First day, at Goose Creek meeting. Second day, we 
had a full meeting at South Fork. Third day, we returned to 
Waterford. 

On the 1st day of the year, 1817, we attended Fairfax Month- 
ly Meeting, it was comfortable and favored. 2d, fifth day, we 
attended Goose Creek Monthly Meeting, and next day rode to 
Barclay ; had a meeting there on 7th day. On first day, we 
attended Hopewell meeting, where I was much enlarged, in 
clear, settling testimony, which has been the favor given at sev- 
eral meetings. Second dav, we had a meeting at Middle 
Creek, where I had to die about the fruitless fi^ trees. Third 



2 1 5 

day, were at Ridge, a small, weak meeting ; from hence to 
Winchester, in Virginia, and staid the night with Goldsmith 
Chandler. From this, we went to Centre, and had a meeting. 
The day following, we attended Hopewell Monthly Meeting. 
Here I was led into feeling sympathy with the afflicted, who 
wore sackcloth of mourning for their inner garment, and my 
horn was filled with the oil of encouragement to anoint them. 
11th, we had a meeting at Crooked Run. 12th, First day, we 
attended Mount Pleasant meeting. Second day, we had a 
meeting at Back Creek. 15th, at Dillius run. This closed 
our visits in Baltimore Yearly Meeting. 

From this place, we set forward for Redstone, and it took 
the 16th, l^th, and 18th, to get across the Alleghany Moun- 
tains, it being severe, snowy weather, so that we suffered much 
with the cold, but were favored to get into Sandy Creek glades 
on first day, just at evening, amongst Friends, who received us 
kindly, and did what they could to make us comfortable. We 
had a comfortable meeting with Friends on second day, and 
drove to Providence on third day. Fourth day, we attended 
Redstone Monthly Meeting, held at Providence, where they 
made me think of Ezekiei's dry bones in the valley, which 
needed a shaking to bring them together ; for they had got 
wide apart, and they needed the spirit of the Lord to move 
upon them, to make them live. My Lord enabled me to sound 
an alarm. From here we went to Centre, where I was taken 
sick, and confined two days. On seventh day ,the 25th, we had a 
meeting there, and first day were at Providence. 27th, we 

went to S , and had a meeting with them on the 28th, 

and returned to Providence the same evening. 29th, came to 
Redstone, and had a large meeting there on the 30th, where I 
found hard wark enough to get along to my own satisfaction. 
After meeting, v r e rode to Westland, and attended their Select 
Quarter on sixth day. Xext day was their meeting for worship 
and discipline. Here I had to proclaim the word of the Lord 
against tattlers, liars, mischief makers, and spreaders of discord 
amongst brethren. It was a sifting time, but my good Master 



216 JOURNAL CF 

me j i } ir0T1 gl 1 -'; - - - [| opposition 

Blesss 1 be His nam • ! 

the 2 : 2 . rn ..'.." &. a I si uilai 

ere at Pike Rub in »eti 
an ! attende I their first : ~. . . . 

I proceed* »d 1 avc ! 

town pillage. Next day, we ha : - C : a, 

>roceeded to visit Sandy Hill n: . 

had a meeting it Uniontown. We r turn-:" tc _ 
an appointed meeiing there. First 

. again. Second d;iy, w« P — a J 

another nt evening: the day fiu lowing Tuis 

co eluded our visits in this par: - ?n I ws a 

about to take my departure, Frie Is a y \ I .- 1 

not be uneasy ab >ut my al rs being - 
their meetings ; that tl 
satisfied with my labors, Sj I j 
thank *ul to my Loi 
me right ; much des 
iir help. 

_ : .^ ... .... . ..... "... . . .- 

int irgi .:.. g tto Dunning* 1 C "" " : 

attended t .- ti _ i i 

on account of vy mow storni 

7 th day evening, ai ing 

2d of 3d montl . Sec >nd 

day, we att Monthly Meeting, . t Lampe- 

ter. Fourth Jay, we lia 1 an aj 

.,". '" - : I a meetii .. 
my exercise was ] 
bat an infi lei sj : : t 

, but the 1 

the d and i 

... 

greatly to be feai . 



- JOSEPH HOAG. 211 

On sixth day, we rode to Wilmington, in the State of Dela- 
. e stopped, and got our wagon mended. Seventh 
day, we rode to Apaguima, and attended that meeting. First 
day, at Smyrna ; third day, at Little Creek ; fourth day, at Cam- 
den. In these parts, Friends' meetings are generally very small, 
e once there were large meetings ; but Friends in this land 
formerly held many slaves, and many of them refusing to free 
them, went out from Friends in a bitter state, and carried their 
families with them. Some zealous people in that land, who 
refused to join Friends for several years, because they held 
slaves, after they got clear of them, came forward and joined 
our Socie had it not. been for these, there are several 

meetings that would now have been extinct, which are kept 
up by the offspring of these humble, faithful people. Friends 
there, giving me this account, I thought it just to give it a 
place in memory. We had the opportunity to be in their com- 
pany several times ; they appeared to be a zealous people, much 
in the simple innoeency ; while the offspring of Friends, who 
were negro masters, are now the tyrants of the land. A stand- 
ing proof of the evil of slavery, and the blast such left on their 
offspring. 

On fifth day, we had a meeting in the State House, at Dover, 
which was large and favored. This is the handsomest village I 
saw in Delaware, Sixth day, we had a meeting at Motherkill. 
Seventh day, we were at Milford, and in the evening had a fa- 
vored, satisfactory meeting at a small village called Fredericka. 
First day, we were at Cold Spring meeting. The house was 
very full, and the people quiet, and attentive. Here is a meet- 
ing, that has, I think* three or four small families to keep it up. 
They live wide apart, and are not very zealous, so that in this, 
and some other places in these parts, it looks very discouarging 
as to the testimonv of Truth being; held up lono*. In Bowers- 
town, we had another large meeting the same day. Here- 
about the people were more attentive to get to meetings, than 
at some other places, 

took the 



21 S JOURNAL OF 

meetings of Centre, N >rthwest Fort, Marshy Preel ^boj nk, 

aad were at Tliird Haven mee ino on Next 'lav. we 

were at the BaysiJe. Our meetings i 

a:v generally sma'l, and rlreary gettii g along; I i i eem 

that the milde *- of slavery, an 

consumed all the humane, ben vol ! ft sp 1; 

a-d Inn lei dartnes<, and savasre barbarity ing die room 

in many minds Sorrowful io reflect upon 1 

Third day, we were at Tuckahoe Neck, an I fourth day at 
the Neck meeting. Fifth day, we r de tu the he Chester. 

and had a meeting at that place on sixth clay. Seventh day, 
we had a meeting at Cecil First day. we ha] a meeting at 
Chester Xeck. This ends our visit in tha: Quarter; and n ~ 
in looking it over. I felt deeply to ackn ; ge at although 
deep, and sorrowful oft, have been my waitings in :' is I 
and dark ami gloomy have been many of i : . yel g od 

is the Lord, that in, and ihr ugh : all, His holy's :h hith- 

erto borne me up, ai d su>tai. ed in ti nes of sharpest trials. 
He showed me clearly w! at His tvill hat I st Id Ao, 

and gave me fortitude, that 1 fea he sons 

of men, a d ability to d i Hi- s ti aes, an 

favors me with a return of a rich an : yful ; p : lessed 

and a lore I forever be His Holy name y I evermore 

serve Him, with a ready and willing min 

Second and t ird days, e spent on our roa ] i > Mary" 
'tmd had a meeting at East N«>ttingl 4th day. Next day, 

at West Nottingham. Sixth day day 

at Little Britain. On first d «y, the 4th mouth, we 

crossed the SusquG^annah river, and went to Deer Creek m eet- 
ing. Xext day, we returned to Dunm re, a d had a meeting 
there on third day. Fifth day, had a meeting at Darien, 
Sixth day, we w« re at Westp >ri, and seveut i ilay at Spencer. 
First day, the 13 h, reac ed New Garden, in Pt-unsylvanip. 
14th, we were at Hock sson. loth, at Stanton, lot , at 
Wilmington: t is is a large meeting. 17th, ai Chichester. 
ISthj at Chester; both these were small meetings. In fchisla^t 



JOSEPH HOAG. 210 

little tour, the Gospel spring ran lively. I was led into the 
state of several meetings, and enabled to clear my mind, to the 
satisfaction of my Friends, and my own peace. Though there 
is mueh rubbish that needed to be removed out of the way, 

there are many well concerned Friends in this part of the land ; 
so that the testimony of Truth may yet be held up with clean 
hands. 

From here, we went to Philadelphia, to attend the Yearly 
Meeting, which was large. Several weighty subjects came be- 
fore it, which t«»ok up much time, and caused deep exercise to 
the rightly concerned and discerning part of Society. On one of 
these subjects, I felt my mind weightily impressed, and forcibly 
drawn to give a sentiment, and my reasons therefor; for which 
I got a quick, sharp reply, and a heavy censure in the face of 
the meeting*. Tins occasioned deep searching of heart for some 
hours, until my good Master was pleased to show me that all 
was well, as I had done His will ; which gave my troubled mind 
relief. The day following, the subject was brought up again, 
and after much reasoning had passed on it, feeling my mind 
weightily impressed, I saw my way clear to speak to it again, 
and proceeded calmly, and deliberately : being enabled to treat 
the subject so clearly in all its parts, feeling the authority of 
Truth to accompany the words, that there was no reply. That 
subject was soon disposed of for that time, and the business 
passed on pretty harmoniously for the day. After this, there 
was one subject, that took up much time to no good purpose ; 
there being much of a libertine spirit in this country, that is 
inclined to run out of order, and some dav will give Friends 
much trouble. The meeting closed in a favorable quiet, on 
six'h day. 

On first day, following the Yearly Meeting, we attended 
Arch street meeting, and in the afternoon we were at the 
Northern District meeting. Second dav, we were at Abington 
Monthly Meeting. Here I had some close work to do. yet it 
was acknowledged there was cause for it. Third dav. we at- 
tended Byberry Monthly Meeting, and fourth day had an ap° 



220 JOURNAL OF 

pointed meeting in the same house. Fifth day, we had a meet- 
ing at Frankfort. Sixth day, we attended Germantown in 
course, and after meeting we went to Plymouth, and put up 
with Jacob Albert son. First day, the 4th of 5 th month, we 
attended that meeting. Second day, we were at Gwynedd 
meeting. Third day, were at Upper Dublin. Through this 
part of the country I had many deep conflicts of spirit to en- 
dure, being much led into close, plain labor ; many of the aged 
so buried in the earth, and some have fixed themselves in a 
security that will fail them in the end, and seemed determined 
not to be aroused from their couches ; while the young are 
taking their flight upon the wings of the morning of their day, 
in pursuit of the gaudy trimmings of the world, and airy, but 
poisonous notions, that are too prevalent in our land ; so that 
mourning has been my lot, and my morsel has been eaten as 
with bitter herbs. The few who walk faithfully in the path 
that is cast up for the ransomed, have to keep much on their 
watch, and walk in fear, lest the glitter deceive them, or the 
ns of the enchanter draw them out of the way of safety. 
Oh, may the Lord remember this once favored land, and shake 
their earth arid their false heavens, and gather the people to a 
foundation that cannot be shaken ! 

The 7th of the month, we attended Abington Quarterly 
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, held at Horsham, and the 
meeting for worship and discipline on fifth day. Sixth day, had 
a meeting at Radnor. Seventh day, at the Valley. First day, 
the 11th, at Charleston, and in the afternoon was at Providence 
meeting. Second day, at Potts Grove. 13th, at Exeter. 14th, 
at Reading. 15th, at Maiden Creek. 16th, we drove to Rich- 
land, almost forty miles. 17th, we parted with our beloved 
Friend, and agreeable companion, Jacob Albertson, who had 
been with us about twelve days. First day, the 18th, we at- 
tended Richland meeting. These latter meetings were gener- 
ally small in number of Friends, yet many others came in when 
notice was given — a token that they lived peaceably with their 
neighbors. Though we fell in with a number of well concerned, 



faithful Friends, there is far too much assimilation with the 

spirit and customs of the world, and a mournful letting down 
the ancient simplicity ail integrity that once so beau- 

tified our Society ; and if they cannot he prevailed upon to re- 
turn to the true Shepherd of Israel, and abide in His fold, the 
effect will be a great falling away, and running into the wilder- 
ness of vain imaginations ; from whence they never will all re- 
turn — a heart aching view of the times. 

Second and third days, we had meetings at Plum stead and 
Solesbury, and went to John Baklerson's. Fourth day, we at- 
tended Buckingham meeting, It was very large, and my Mas- 
ter gave me not a word for the people — a great disappointment 
to them — yet I felt great peace in being resigned to the Lord's 
will, believing He knew best, what was good for them and me. 
Fifth and sixth days, we were at Makefield and Wrightstown ; 
in both meetings I had satisfactory service. On seventh day, 
we appointed a meeting at Micldleton in the morning, and an- 
other at four in the afternoon in Newtown, where was a 
gathering, mostly not members of our Society. I soon found 
that my lips were sealed, which caused deep searching of heart, 
and close enquiry whether the appointment was right, but 
could not see anything amiss on my part, and was favored to 
settle down resigned, in a quiet feeling of mind. Almost at 
the same instant, in stepped a public Friend from New En e 
on a religious visit. I was glad to see him. It was not long- 
before he was well furnished with good matter and Gospel au- 
thority. It was a favored time, and truly strengthening and 
comforting to my mind, standing resigned to the Lord's putting 
forth. After meeting, the Friend told me that he heard of the 
appointment, and felt a draught to come to it, but hesitated 
some time, thinking he might be in the way, or intrude, until 
it was so heavy on him that he was afraid to forbear, and 
thought he now saw it was best to believe and obey his good 
Master; for had he not delayed, he might have been in I 
season. 

We returned to Buckingham, and attended that meeting on 



222 JOURNAL OF 

first clay, the 25th, and way was open or] to relieve my mind 
pretty fully. After meeting*, we went to Thomas Carey's, a 
Friend, who had been with us several days. On second day, 
we had a meeting a^ a place called Milton, and on third lay, 
came the meeting for Ministers and Elders of Buckingham 
Quarter, and on fourth day, the meeting for worship and dis- 
cipline. Though I passed this meeting in much exercise, 1 hid 
no liberty to impart to them what I saw and felt, but enjoyed 
a peaceful mind, in being willing to fill up my measure in silent 
suffering. After the Quarter, we went to Fails, Penn's Manor, 
and Bristol, and had meetings at each place. At the latter, 
my mind was clothed with Gospel life and love, and utterance 
given ; the like 1 had not felt for a length of time, for it had 
been much my lot in this land to labor in a plain, simple stvle, 
not at all pleasing to the tasty, but best pleasing to my Master, 
or He would have given it otherwise, and I was content to 
please Him. 

From here, we returned to Philadelphia, to John Morton's, 
our former home. Third day, attended the Northern Meeting, 
had nothing for them but the example of silence, which has 
often been my lot of late, and however trying to the people 
this may be, I find my peace much depends on keeping re- 
signed to the Lord's will, and being careful not to be drawn to 
utter words by the spirit of the people, without Gospel author- 
ity, for this would never profit the people, or build up the ways 
of Zion. After this, we attended Green street, Marion, and 
Haverford meetings In these last, I was enabled to clear my 
min 1 in a plain, close way, so as to feel quite peaceful. 

On second day, the 9th of 6th month, we had a meeting at 
Darby, an ancient settlement of Friends and a large meeting; 
but an enemy had got among them. I was led in a \ery close 
and pointed manner, and had to tell them what it was, and how 
it was that the unity of the Spirit of 'he Gospel was formed 
with, and amongst brethren, and that it was kept only by abi- 
ding in the Truth, that first formed the unity, and those who 
went out of the Truth, broke the unity. In vain it was for 



JOSEPH HOAO. 223 

those to call for unity who ha 1 gone out of it ; for those who 
kept in the Truth, wore bound in the bonds of tlie Gospel to 
sand by the Truth and support its honor. There was no other 
way to enjoy the unity, but for those who were out of the 
Truth to return to their first love, and mend their own faults, 
as none other could mend them" Cor them ; that would heal the 
breach, and their brethren would receive them with op n arms. 
B of them turned and twisted about, and some wept. Af- 
ter meeting, I was told by a Minister of t 1 at place, that if I 
had lived amongst them, I could not have gone through the 
situation of their meeting more exact; and with tears running 
down her cheeks, expressed, she hoped it would be of use, and 
do them good — a humbling time to me, in that it was a re- 
newed confirmation that I was in my Master's field of labor, 
and that lie whs leading m< about to do His will; and that I 
may he preserved to do it is my chief de-ire, for this have [ 
chosen for my meat and my drink. 

We passed from here to Springfield, Newton, Middletown, 
and Providence,- having meetings at all these plac s, and felt 
the arm of the blessed God of Jacob to be und rneath, to bear 
up and carry through all the exercises allotted me. On sev- 
enth day, we had no meeting, it being market day. First 
day, the loth, we were at Williston in the morning, and at a 
Goshen in the afternoon, both largo, favored meetings. Sec- 
ond day. we were at Westchest r, and third day, at Birming- 
ham. Between ties, 1 meetings, we visited West-town school, 
which appeared to be kept in beautiful order, and much sim- 
plicity. Four h -lay. we were at Concord Fifth day, at Cen- 
ter. Sixth day, at Kennet. Seventh day, was at Marlborough. 
First day, the 22d, was at Kennet Square. Second day, at 
n Grove. Fr »m there we went t > Dunmore, and attend- 
e i their meeting on four h daw Fifth day, at Little Britain 
This en's our visit in Pennsylvania, for the pn sent. 
We rrosse 1 the Susquehannah to Deer Creek, and put np at the 
li use of Samuel Coles, an I attended that meeting on first day, 
the 29th. Second day, had a meeting at Dublin. Third day, we 



2 2 4 JOURNAL Oh 

had a meeting at Thomas' Run. 4th, we appelated a meeting. at 
Bel Air. On fifth day, we attended the Little Falls Prepara- 
tive Meeting. It was trying to my mind, to go to so many 
meetings, where I had so lately been, but my good Master was 
kind and true to me, and gave me to see* what he sent me back 
for, and ability to do all he required, and rewarded well my 
obedience. After meeting' we. rode to Baltimore, Being 
much fatigued and some unwell, we lay by until first day, the 
6th of 'Zth month, where we attended both meetings- in the 
city, where painful, heart-aching labor was my lot. Second day, 
rode to Alexandria. 3d, rode to Occoquan^ and Bad & satisfac- 
tory meeting there in the evening. Fourth day, we rode to Dum- 
fries, and had a meeting there just at evening. 5th > passed on 
to Fredericksburg. Sixth day, we had a satisfactory, comfortable' 
meeting at that place. After meeting we rode %o Carlisle, and 
lodged with Joseph Terril. Next morning we reached Cedar 
Creek Monthly Meeting, where I had close labor; showing that 
those who ruled in the Lord's house, ought nofc to lord over 
God's heritage ; for where any lorded over their brethren, the 
lambs could not grow up in good liking, atid the flock was not 
healthy. Though some of the great ones looked somewhat 
shy on me, I felt such serene peace, that I Was satisfied, I had 
the Lord for my leader, with which I was content, let what 
would come. After meeting, we went to Micajah Crew's to 
dinner, and proceeded to Richmond, and attended that meet- 
ing with the few Friends of that place, and another at four in 
the afternoon, appointed by Isaac Hammer, a Dutch Friend, 
from Tennessee. He was small in the Ministry^ but sound and 
weighty in spirit. Both these meetings were; attended by ma- 
ny not of our Society, and Gospel truths flowed to them freely. 
Second day, the 14th, we went to Petersburg!*. Third clay, 
rode to Gravelly Run, and had a meeting %% & o'clock in the 
afternoon, and lodged with John Andrews, Fourth day, we 
journeyed to Stanton, and attended that Preparative Meeting 
on fifth day. The meetings of Friends here are generally very 
small, many having moved away on a^pannft of §lave.ry, and 



Joseph HOAG. 225 

many of the young people marrying into slave-holding families, 
and of course go from Friends ; so that the prospect is that 
Friends must cease to be a people in the slave-holding coun- 
tries, unless a great alteration should take place with the inhab- 
itants at large, which there is no prospect of, short of the strong 
hand of Divine interposition. For to see the poor blacks 
crowded into little huts, like hogs in a pen, or sheep in a yard, 
all ages and sexes together — and their masters strive to have it 
as much so as they can, in order to eradicate all feelings of hu- 
manity, honor, modesty, or virtue — and plead it is best for the 
blacks, that they are less sensible of their depravity. This is 
not all ; the masters even sell tl^eir own Mulatto children to 
make their white children rich. In general, the blacks are 
talked to, and used more like brutes than the human family. 
Children from eight to twelve years of age, would talk to aged, 
gray-headed men and women, and call them black dogs, and 
worse names than a civil man would call his dog by; yet the 
poor things dare not show any resentment. I often said in my 
heart, " How long will this be suffered ? " While my heart was 
ready to melt with compassion for the black people, my 
thoughts were often turned to look over the white people's sit- 
uation ; a people endued with superior. light and talents, capac- 
itated to be eyes to the blind, and leaders of the ignorant ; but 
are so far the reverse, that they seem bent to display the 
utmost stretch of their power, and gratify their own wills, and 
to grind down the poor blacks as much below the dumb ani- 
mals as they can. Thus, in musing and looking over the state 
of this wretched country, and seeing that the whites, for a few 
days of fleeting pleasure, were preparing themselves to the ut- 
most of their power, for the never ending ages of eternity to be 
the companions of demons, and for that place, where the fire 
shall never be quenched ; their worm dieth not and the fire is 
not quenched. And to reason with, or preach to them seemed 
to have no more effect, than water poured upon a rock. This 
appears to be the state of the ruling class of the people, while 
there is another class who use their slaves more humanely ; and 



220 JOURNAL OF 



still another class who would be glad to free their blacks, if the 
laws of tlie land would protect them. And these last are des- 
pised by the others ; so that, musing on their situation, my sleep 
often left me, my appetite failed for food, ard I became feeble ; 
feeling a necessity laid on m3 to be faithful in every place, and 
with all people to whom I had anything* in charge from my 
M ister, feeling a heavy woe if I gave back, so that my compan- 
ion often thought I hazarded my life. I have no language to 
set forth so tint another can realize what I passed through in 
these varied exercises, n iless rhey are placed in a similar situa- 
tion. I verily feared I sh >u'd lay my bones in this gloomy 
land. Yet, marvelous t ■» reflect up m, I was never once drawn 
into action, either public or in pri\at\ but tha* the fear of man 
was taken from me. They appeared n » more to me than grass- 
hoppers, in the time of anion ; and I felt no want of matter or 
language to confute their reasoning, or confound their boast in 
favor of slavery. I su >p >s? I was attacked in my travels in these 
slave states, m »re than one hundred times ; and sometimes by the 
learne 1 and great. So that in all of these disputes my great and 
good Master furnished and helped me, they we. e always brought 
to acknowledge , (with but two exceptions that I remember of), that 
it wis wrong to hold their fellow creatures in slavery, and were 
convinced it was contrary to every attribute of the Divine be- 
ino* And then would exclaim, w hat shall we do, we have got 
then, and it will not do to free them and let them be amongst 
us; they would overrun us — and to wind up, we must keep 
them in s'avery, and as ignorant as we can for our own safety; 
and s-enied determr ed n«»t to admit the thought, that it was 
the Lord who had opened theireyes, and if lie was sought unto, 
could, and doubtless "would, grant wis lorn and open a way, 
which would be right and good for both black and white. But, 
as there is a standing against hivine justice a&d mercy with 
their eves open, Gn>d will not be mocked, neither will His jus- 
tr-e always slumber. 0, may the L»rd, in the counsels of ills 
great wi-dom, open a way for the oppressed, to be set free with 
out th$ effusion of a river of blood. 



JOSEPH HOAG. 227 

Sixtli day, tlie 18th, we returned to Gravelly Rim. 19th, at- 
tended that Monthly Meeting, and was comf rted, having the 
company of a number or' solid, lively spirited Frienfls. Fi-ist 
day, the 20th, we attended that meeting again, and attended 
an Rppi tinted meeting at five in the fifternoon at Petersburg. 
21st, ro«!e to Burleigh, an 1 attended an appointed meeting 
there in the afternoon. 22d, we rode to Staunton. 23d, rode 
to Vicks; having stopped on our way at Jerusalem, and had a 
satisfactory meeting in that place. 24th we. got our carriage 
men led. 25th we rode to Murphysboro 1 and had a meeting 
there at five in the afternoon, amongst staunch Presbyterians, 
who came <>n their guard ; and far beyond my expectation, Ue 
who hath all p >w«-r given Him in heaven and earth was pleased 
to open a gentle stream, in Gospel light and love, which drew 
the attention of the people, so that they forgo i their coats of 
mail, and the stream increased to a river. Gospel tru lis flow- 
ed freely and forcibly, an 1 settle 1 solidly on the meeting, and 
it ended quietly. So that the people acknowledged they were 
satisfied; that what they had heard were gospel truths. And 
the Lord was pleased for Hi* own name's sake to exalt the 
Truth this day, in the eyes of the people. Blessed be His holy 
name ! 

Seventh day. 26th, we rode to Rich Square, and went to 
Jesse On' land's. Fi st day, 27th, we attended that meeting 
and had good service. 28th, we set forward for Matt imuskeet, 
and arrived there the 31st. We had a meeting there with 
Friends, 1st day of 8th month. Seventh day, we had a meeting- 
with the Baptists up the Lake. First day, the Bd, we had a 
meeting at the lower end of the Lake, in a Method! t house. 
The meeting wa- large and the people were civil and attentive. 
In this p'ace I saw*a master beat a colored person wickedly 
with a knotty cudgel. It move I my feelings s >, that when t e 
master got over his fret, 1 told what I thought of sneh conduct. 
i e seemed to resent it for a while, and rose three times from 
his seat, either to frighten or give me a hi »w. But it did not 
move my feelings with fear at all. I kept my eye fixed on- his, 



228 JOURNAL OF 

and continued my speech until he sat down, and kept quiet, 
hung Ms head and heard me through, then acknowledged it 
was not right to hold them in slavery, or use them so. Upon 
this, after making a few remarks, we closed the discourse and 
parted. I left him with a loaded mind, which I hope will pro- 
duce some good effect. We had a meeting the same day on 
the South side of the Lake, at the Baptist meeting-house, which 
was also large, and the people gave good attention. Hereaway, 
the Lord in the riches of his mercy and love to the people, 
plentifully furnished with matter and utterance, though much 
of it seemed to me like the rain that falls on the barren land 
and rocks, where it can make no entrance to profit, but has to 
make its way to the valleys and streams, and return to the 
fountain from whence it w T as taken. The Lord's will must be 
done. The barren land must be rained on as well as the fertile 
soil. 

After this last meeting we rode eighteen miles on our way 
towards Core Sound to a place called Germantown, where we 
had a meeting with a parcel of slaveholders, where the Lord 
my Eedeemer strengthened my mind to bear a faithful testimo- 
ny, for the cause of Truth and Justice. Third day and fourth 
day we journeyed to Washington. Fifth day we had a pretty 
full meeting in that village, where the Most High for His own- 
name's sake, and in mercy to the people, was graciously pleas- 
ed to give strength and ability to bear a faithful testimony to 
the noble cause of justice, mercy and Truth, in that authority 
which prevailed over all opposition, and Truth reigned for that 
time. Sixth day, the 8th of the month, in JSTewberne, my com- 
panion was taken very sick ; also our pilot and myself became 
quite unwell. This brought deep thoughtfulness over my 
mind, it being a very sickly, dying time in all the lowland 
country that we could hear from, with man and beast. We 
saw hogs and horses dying by the side of the road frequently, 
as we traveled. After considering our situation seriously, and 
asking counsel of my Master, I felt my mind clearly at liberty 
to turn our course for Contentney, and get into the hilly, heal- 



JOSEPH 110 A 

thy country, as soon as we could. It took us until the 12th to 
get there. Being much fatigued and sick, we stopped with 
Friends here a few days, and attended their meeting on fourth 
day. Fifth day we attended another meeting in those parts. 
Sixth day we had an appointed meeting at Holly Springs, to 
good satisfaction. We then set forward for Eno, and arrived 
there the 18th of the month. We stayed about here several 
days. I had a meeting about five miles from Eno, much to the 
relief of my mind. My companion was prevented from being 
with me, by indisposition. We attended Eno meeting as it 
came in course. Seventh-day we attended Providence Monthly 
Meeting. I was well satisfied in, being with Friends here. 

First day, the 24th, we attended New Garden meeting, North 
Carolina. At this parting opportunity, the Master of Israel's 
assemblies, favored with His life-giving presence, to the glad- 
ening of many hearts. On second-day we lay by, and my com- 
panion becoming more sick, and myself quite unwell, we felt 
most easy to turn cur course for Alexandria, where was a phy- 
sician with whom I had formed some acquaintance, under 
whose care I felt desirous of placing my companion. On third 
day we set forward, the distance being over three hundred 
miles, the way we traveled. The weather being very warm, 
and our horses much fatigued and we both sickly, it took us 
nine days to reach there. By this time my companion had 
become so ill, that I was somewhat alarmed. The doctor was 
soon sent for ; he readily gave medicine which had a good ef- 
fect, so that in about a week, my companion was getting smart 
and lively. Y/hile here, I attended Friends mid-week meeting, 
and their fore and afternoon meetings, the 7th of 9th month. 
In all these meetings I had good satisfaction in sitting with 
Friends, though I had not much public service amongst them, 
but felt that peace that satisfied me. We continued here until 
fourth day morning, when we moved forward to attend the lit- 
tle meeting in the city of Washington, where our Friends 
showed great gladness to see us. It was truly comfortal 
be with them ar<ain. 



230 JOURNAL OF 

On fifth day we moved on towards Baltimore. The weather 
yet warm, and my companion not having got strong, we went 
no further than Samuel Snowden's, who received us kindly. 
We staid here (my companion being* feeble,) until seventh day. 
Then went to Baltimore, to our old home at John MeKim's, 
who with his wife received us kindly. First day, the 14th, we 
attended the upper meeting in the morning. In this mee ing 
I whs led largely to warn Friends, against speculative inquiries, 
and embracing unfounded notions; f.»r this would lead to disbe- 
lief of all form t revelations, as testified in the Holy Scriptures: 
and to reject the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, 
as testified by the apostles; and would finally end in dark infi- 
delity. And the propagators of those dark principles would 
often go or creep about slily under the mask of religion, and 
bring forward questions calculated to puzzle the unguarded 
mind For should they show at <mce what they were at, they 
woul 1 alarm and lose their »»bjeet. And just so the devil 
works ; first get hold, and then lead on to destruction ; and so 
do those first get the mind shaken, and then introduce their 
dark principles ; and they creep about to do it under the 
mask of religion, as the serpent crept on his belly. I had 
to warn Friends to be on their guard. While 1 was on my 
feet speaking, there were two members of our Society, who sat 
near me, (and who I had noticed to be quite active in their meet- 
ings for discipline.) who got up with an air that showed dis- 
composure, and went out, and round, and came in at the back 
door and placed themselves as far from me as they well could ; 
but through mercy it did not jostle or m >ve me. After meet- 
ing a number of Friends expressed their Ml satisfa*tion with 
my being with them as I was. My good Vaster richly reward- 
ed me Tor blowing my ram's horn faithfully against the harlot's 
walls. In the afternoon we attended the Old Meeting. Here 
I had to dip deep in sympathy with the oppressed, and to 
mourn with the afflicted, and t<> encourage tln-ra to steadfast 
pat ie. ice, that they might obtain the immortal crown when time 
with theai should be no more. 



JOSEPH HO AG, 231 

Third day, we drove to Gunpowder. 4th, attended that 
meeting. Notice being* given, it was large and n iirli favored. 
Fifth day, rode to Little York. Sixth day, wer« de to Columbia, 
on the Susqmham a, arriving there in sens, n to Iwvea meeting 
in the evening, winch was full, and closed to my satisfaction. Sev- 
enth day, we drove t«» Rol eson, forty-five miles. First da}*, the 
21st, we attended that meeting in Pennsylva in. We lo 'aed 
at Rebecca Scarlet's. Second day, we drove t<> West Cain. Third 
day, we had a meeting there. Fourth day, we were at East 
Cain meeting* Fifth day, we bad a meeting at Bradford. Sixth 
day, we bad a meeting at Downington. Seventh day, we had 
a meeting at Uwchland First day, 28th, we were at Bradford 
again. S cond day. we bad a meeting at Pikeland. Third 

day, 30ti»,at Whi . Fourth day, 1st of ICth month, we 

lay by at our esteemed Friend, Jacob Albertson's. The next 
da\, attended their Monthly Meeting, at Plymouth. In the 
meeting for worship, I was entir« \y shut up. In t ; at f r busi- 
ness, my mind was furnished in a short testimony with a few. 
clear plain remarks that settled <>n t'< e meeting like <iew up n 
herbs. After meeting ^e went to Germantowu. Sixth day, 
we passed- through Philadelphia, and <t- ssed tl e Delaware at 
Wat rford, and went to Benjamin Cooper's, in New Jersey. 
Seventh day, we had a meeting at Newton. First day, 5th, 
we were at Westfield in the morning, and at Chester in the af- 
ternoon Second day, vie had a meeting at Evesham. Third 
day, we were at Eason meeting. Fourth day, we attended 
meeting at Upper Evesham. Fifth day, we had a meeting at 
Cropwell. Sixth day, had a meeting at Haddonfield, and re- 
turned to Cropwell, and attended Evesham Monthly Meeting ; 
and had a meeting appointed at lour oYloek, at the Cross- 
roads, among Presbyterians, where Friends had see-in i d very 
backward in consenting for me to appoint "lie. Yet, several 
Friends attended and frankly acknowledged after meeting, that 
the appointment was rijht, a. el that Truth arose in dominion, 
beyond what they had any idea • »£ It has been much my l»t 
through a number of meetings, to stand much alone, and made 



-■"-■-.. . 

to feel the sure stepping stones, there being so much ease and 
self-security in this part of the fend ; so that if the bow is not 
drawn in full strength, the arrow never enters* Yet, there are 
a number who are endeavoring to be what they ought to be* 
But there are so many dead weights around them, I think it 
must often cause them deep wadings to keep their standing at 
all times, and fill up their measures. May the Lord keep and 
support them, and add to their number ! 

First day, the 12th, we attended Xewton meeting again, and 
traveled twelve miles, and attended an appointed meeting the 
4th hour in the afternoon, at a place called Green-tree. From 
here we returned to Haddonfield, and attended their Monthly 
Meeting on second day, and rode to Woodbridge, and had a 
meeting at that place on third day. Fourth day, I attended a 
little meeting at Chestnut Ridge. Fifth day, we had a meeting 
at Woolwich. Sixth day, had a meeting at Upper Greenwich. 
Seventh day, we had a meeting at Penn's Xeck. First day, 
the 19th, we attended Piles grove meeting. Second day, we 
had a meeting at Salem, and third day, at Alloway's Creek. 
Fourth day, we had a meeting at Greenwich, Cumberland 
County. The next meeting was at Morris River, and another 
at Morris River Point. Seventh day, we had a meeting at Ce- 
darviUe, and returned to Morris River, and attended that meet- 
ing again on first day, the 26th. I had much Gospel labor in 
this part of the country. A number of the meetings I have no- 
ted, were where no Friends live. May the Lord bless the labor ! 
We next went to Cape May, where we found a little meeting 
much laid waste by the bad conduct of a Minister. The next 
we went to Great Egg Harbor. Here we found a small, weak 
meeting. We crossed the water to Little Egg Harbor, and 
found a body of Friends. Among them there was a number of 
well-minded, lively-con cea-ned members; we had a comfortable 
meeting with them. We passed on to Martha Fearney's, and 
had a meeting there ; and had another at Bastoe Furnace, and 
though they were civil, they were a hardy people to preach to. 
"We had a satisfactory meeting at the Pan!:, where we staid the 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 233 

night with David Mapes, a colored man, who is a respectable 
Friend. From here we returned to John Hallock's, at Tucker- 
*ton, the 4th of the 11th month. Fourth day, we went to Bar- 
negat. Fifth day, we had a small meeting with Friends there. 
Sixth day, we went to Squanham, and had a meeting with the 
inhabitants of that place, and seventh day, had a meeting at 
Squan. 

Though I have thought best not to make many exposing re- 
marks, yet there is orje subject I feel most easy to notice. In 
passing through the southern and southeastern parts of Phila- 
delphia Yearly Meeting, I found active members in the Society, 
carrying on the distillery business, buying up grain to make 
whisky of, and selling their liquor by wholesale or retail, to 
any one, or in any way, that would bring gain to the seller. 
Some merchants sold by wholesale, and some by retail ; others, 
who kept public houses, would sell by small measure to their 
neighbors, until they were drunk. These different branches 
were carried on in several parts of that Yearly Meeting, and 
I was credibly informed, also, to some extent in the city of 
Philadelphia. This subject lying heavily on my mind, I felt a 
necessity at times to labor faithfully with Friends thereon, for 
which I was heavily censured by some. Notwithstanding this, 
I was made willing to bear a faithful testimony against those 
evils whenever my Master required it of me ; who renewed the 
bow in my hand, which caused sundry attacks in a private way. 
When I came to bring into view the inconsistency of destroy- 
ing so much of the grain, that should be for food ; and so far 
from supporting human nature, it became a great destroyer of. 
it, worse in many places than the sword ; and so also with the 
sweet of the cane, and the goodly juice of the grape made into 
spirits, that it augmented the burden of slavery. When I 
brought these views before Friends in a calm, clear and solid 
manner, with the baneful effects thereof in our land, and the 
inconsistency for Friends, professing as we do, to be actors in 
and actual encouragers of all those evils, so incompatable with 
the philanthropy and precepts of the Gospel, that they could 
15 



234 JOURNAL OF 

not be reconciled ; these reasons, with the energy that my good 
Master favored me with, both in and out of meetings, silenced 
all opposition; and sometimes brought to a full acknowledg- 
ment of the truth of the sentiments. Yet, through all these 
painful straits, I had consolation in finding my Great and good 
Master always true to His promise, that He would be with me 
in all my trials, a ready and sufficient helper in every needful 
time. Gloriously good is He in all His attributes ; worthy to 
be honored, worshiped and obeyed, and His Holy name praised 
forevermore ! 

First day, the 9th of 11th month, we attended Shrewsbury 
meeting. 10th, at Long Branch. 11th, at Poplar Swamp, 
and a meeting in the evening at Edington. All these were 
favored, satisfactory meetings. 12th, attended the Select Quar- 
terly meeting at Shrewsbury, and at four in the afternoon, we 
had an appointed meeting in the neighborhood of Black Point, 
which was acceptable to the people, and satisfactory to us. 
13th, attended the Quarterly Meeting for worship and discipline ; 
in both of which, it was my lot and business to fill up my meas- 
ure in suffering- silence ; being- made sensible there was more 
of a disposition to hear tell of good things, than to practice 
them. 14th, we had a meeting at a place called Highlands. 
15th, at Middleton village. First day, the 16th, we attended 
Shrewsbury meeting, and had another in the afternoon at a 
place called the Falls. 17 th, we rode to the East Branch, and 
had a meeting with the people there on the 18th. 19th, we 
had a meeting at Upper Freehold. In most of these meetings, 
my Lord and Master favored me with His Holy presence, and 
caused the Gospel spring to run freely, and settle on the peo- 
ple as the dew on the tender grass. In some of the old meet- 
ings my Master laid it on me to dig about the fruitless fig trees, 
and endeavor to enliven the soil with Gospel counsel. 20th, 
we were at Upper Springfield meeting in the morning, and at 
another meeting in the afternoon at the Mount. 21st, at Vin- 
centown, and another in the evening at Mount Holly. 2 2d, 
bad a meeting at old Springfield. First day, the 23d, we were 



Joseph hoag. 235 

at Mansfield meeting. In some of these last meetings, I was 
not only constrained to dig about them, but closely to examine 
the roots, and show the people what manner of fruit, old, cor- 
rupt, unsound roots would bring forth, warning the people, and 
closely admonishing some to seek the Great Healer of maladies 
for soundness. 

24tb, attended the Select Quarterly Meeting of Burlington, 
held at Chesterfield, and next day the meeting for worship and 
discipline. 26th, we had a meeting at Eancocus. 27th, we 
attended Burlington meeting, where I was led into plain, close 
labor, for which I enjoyed peace. 28th, we had a meeting at 
Lower Mansfield. 29th, at Bordentown. First day, the 30th, 
attended Crosswicks meeting, and in the evening had a large 
meeting in Trenton ; the people sat quiet. The 1st of 12th 
month, second day, we had a meeting at Stony Brook. 2d, 
we went to Kingwood, and had a meeting in that place next 
day, which was relieving to my mind. 4th, we went to Hard- 
wick, and had a meeting there next day. 6th, we rode to Ran- 
dolph. First day, the 7th, we attended that meeting. 8th, 
we passed on to Plainfield, and had a meeting at that place on 
the 9th. 10th, we had a solid meeting at Rahway. This was 
the winding up meeting of this long journey of fifteen months. 
After passing Burlington, it felt to me like a clearing off show- 
er, after a long rain. Though I was often led into close com- 
munications, as also encouragement to the upright, I thought 
I was never favored to see the states of meetings more clearly. 
Easy utterance was given to open subjects, and apply them in 
the clear openings of Truth. The Gospel spring continued 
unabated, and its current flowed strong, until it closed with the 
closing meeting; after which I felt clear and at liberty to go 
to my family and friends, with a bosom filled with peace. 
Thanks be to the Most High God ! Glory, honor, and ever- 
lasting praises, be given to His eternal Holy name ! 

We crossed the water at Paulus Hook, and went into Xew 
York, where we staid one night, and went forward for home, 



230 JOURNAL OF 

without making much stop, until we got to the Creek Meeting, in 
Nine Partners, my native land and meeting. We sat with 
them on first day, and passed on until we arrived at Easton, 
where we stopped and attended the Monthly Meeting ; then 
journeyed steadily until we reached home, where we once more 
had a joyful meeting, finding our families and friends well, 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Some time having passed, during which I kept much at 
home, except attending neighboring meetings, and a few short 
visits not far distant, of which I kept no account, in which time 
I had to pass through many deep and sorrowful trials, which I 
sometimes thought would take my life ; there having risen up 
a company in the Quarterly Meeting to which I belonged, some 
of whom were active members in each Monthly Meeting, who 
seemed determined to lay waste all order in the Society, mak- 
ing great pretention of the Spirit and revelation ; pleading that 
they must go by the Spirit, and not by the letter ; that the 
discipline did abundance more hurt than good. They disor- 
dered and troubled our meetings for several years, until the 
Lord was pleased, in tender mercy to His people, to shake and 
expose their foundation and principles, and put them much to 
silence. When their principles were discovered, they were 
found to be Deistical, and their aim seemed to be, to lay waste 
the Society, root and branch ; and in order to do this, their 
endeavors were to run down every faithful member, by slander 
and censure, and by this means, to stir up discord among breth- 
ren ; thus bringing much trouble and grief to Friends, and re- 
proach on the Truth. 

After this storm had a little passed over, I felt my mind 
drawn in Gospel love, to visit Friends and others, in the south- 
ern and western parts of my own Yearly Meeting. I laid my 
concern before Friends, and obtained their unity fully expressed. 
I proceeded to Queensbury, where I perceived Friends were 
almost alarmed, as they had heard slanderous reports about me, 
having no idea of seeing me there again in that way, as some 



238 JOURNAL OF 

of these reports — though utterly false — were carried by Minis- 
ters who had been in our country, professedly in Truth's serv- 
ice ; which gave the reports credit abroad. I remark this, with 
a hope it may prove a caution to others, how they carry reports 
which they do not know to be true. It made hard work for 
me for some time ; but good was the Lord, His strong arm un- 
derneath, supported, and His Spirit sustained me, and in many 
instances, He caused the walls of prejudice to fall before me, 
as dust is blown before the wind. Blessed be His name. 

After having a solid, satisfactory meeting at Queensbury, I 
passed on to Greenfield, Providence and Galway, visiting all 
the meetings in that part of the country, in which I had much 
labor, greatly to my satisfaction, and the full acceptance of my 
Friends. Thence we went through Saratoga, visiting all the 
meetings thereaway, being enabled to clear my mind nearly to 
universal satisfaction, and passed on to Duanesburgh Quarter, 
there attending two meetings. The third meeting I attended, 
was at a place where Friends had disowned a number, but 
keeping entirely still, (which was right in them), these circum- 
stances were unknown to me. I afterwards learned it was on 
account of denying the Divinity of Jesus Christ, and holding 
the doctrine of annihilation of the wicked. Soon after taking 
my seat, from impressions felt, I soon became satisfied there 
was a strong and very wicked spirit in that meeting, and sitting 
under the weight of it, I felt a clear and forcible motion to rise 
on my feet, and attending to it, I was led to take hold of the 
subject, showing that Truth led into knowledge, whilst the 
spirit of the old serpent, led into imaginations. The Truth 
leads to gather in love, and to encourage and build up in the 
holy faith ; whilst the spirit of the devil urged people with high 
pretentions, and much apparent zeal, to lay waste and destroy 
the heritage of God, if they were suffered to do it. Thus, I was 
led to show how it would work, and in such a manner that it 
excited them — a number of them being present — so that after 
meeting, those of other societies exclaimed, " now we know 
who is right, for here has come an old Quaker, from another 



JOSEPH HO AG. 239 

part of the country, who knew nothing about them, and he has 
laid waste their doctrines and proved them false, and the doctrines 
of the Gospel to be true, and its foundation to be as sure and 
durable as God ; the Quakers have done right in disowning 
them." This seemed to aggravate their feelings, for they had 
made much noise among the people, asserting that Friends had 
disowned them for their religion ; calling it persecution, But 
the righteous Lord Almighty, was pleased for His Holy name's 
sake, and in tender mercy to His suffering people, to turn the 
battle to the gate, in favor of the everlasting Gospel of our 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ; forever and ever adored, be His 
Holy name ! 

After meeting, I rode five miles before I stopped to dine ; 
but a number of those Eanters followed me, and brought their 
champion with them. I was favored to keep much in the quiet, 
and let them run on awhile ; then, as it opened clear and lively 
in my mind, I called their attention to a few binding points, 
which I requested them to remove out of the way, by proof and 
sound reason, or their doctrines must fall, as I should not admit 
bold assertions only, to destroy proof. This brought them to 
a stand, and soon to silence, and I embraced the opportunity 
to tell them what I thought of their principles, and what they 
were doing for themselves, and trying to do to the Society they 
had left ; and I felt to admonish them, which I did faithfully, 
and found peace in so doing. They seemed quite willing to 
get off as easy as they could, and glad was I, feeling there was 
renewed cause to give thanks to my good Master for helping 
me through so easily. 

I passed on, taking meetings until I came to Staunton Hill. 
While thereabout, I had a meeting where a meeting had once 
been held, but was now laid down, there being so many Ran- 
ters among them, who created great disorder— which Friends 
kept from me. As my concern was general, a meeting was 
appointed there ; a number of that class came to it, I think, as 
many as half the meeting. I had not sat long, before I was 
made sensible, that I was amongst a dark people, who were 



240 , JOURNAL OF 

carried away with wild and strange imaginations, as much so, 
as ever I had fallen in with. I had to address them in these 
words : " The consequence of imbibing pernicious principles 
is very dangerous," and was led to show what conduct and dis- 
order it would bring forth. The word of Truth went forth with 
that authority, that before I sat down, they settled down and 
hung their heads, and some of them wept. Truth rose into 
dominion, and reigned that day. They let me pass quietly off, 
and Friends who went with me expressed their joy that they 
kept still, informing me that I could not have described their 
conduct and conversation, and the censure they cast upon 
Friends, more correctly, if I had lived among them. This made 
my way in that part of the countiy, so that I went through the 
rest of the meetings of that Quarter, and found pretty open 
doors with Friends, having much arduous labor amongst them ; 
but the Lord being my Leader and helper in every needful time. 
way was made for me many times, where there appeared to be 
no way. Blessed be His Holy name ! 

From this, I went into Cornwall Quarterly Meeting, attending 
Eosendale first, where I had painful labor ; things being much 
out of order ; and next at Little Esopus Monthly Meeting, where 
I think I was never more sensible of disease extending from the 
crown of the head to the sole of the foot ; they being full of 
wounds and bruises, and putrifying sores. With the help of 
my good Master, I cleared my mind amongst them, in a plain, 
coarse way, and passed on. I had not attended more than one 
or two meetings, before I had to go back to Eosendale, and 
have a second meeting, which was no less painful than the 
former. I turned, and took another course, but had only a few 
meetings, before I had to go to Eosendale again, and had the 
third meeting with them, and endeavored to clear my mind 
faithfully amongst them ; but after getting away, I told Friends, 
it seemed to me, there was something very deathly and wound- 
ing in that meeting ; and notwithstanding all that had been 
done, I thought the cause was not removed, but I felt that I 
had cleared my miud as to any further public labor with them. 



JOSEPH II0AG. 241 

They then told me that there was a difficulty in that meeting, 
of five years standing, that had set the members of the meeting 
and families at variance ; that the Monthly Meeting had made 
several trials to settle it, but had not succeeded, and that mem- 
bers of Society had got into the law. This account blocked 
my way from going forward. After musing upon it several 
hours, it came into my mind to take two Friends — whose names 
were presented to my view — and go back to Rosendale as pri- 
vately as we could, and if we took hold of the business right, 
we should settle the difficulty. I slept quiet, after taking this 
view of the subject. 

The morning following, I called on the two Friends, and 
opened my prospect to them. They said they would go, but 
seemed very doubtful of success. I told them I was willing to 
lay by that day, to give them time to consider of it, and ac- 
cordingly did. The day following we went, and when we told 
our business, it alarmed the parties. I had told the two Friends 
that they must go forward and take the laboring oar, but they 
might make use of my name when they could to good advan- 
tage. They proceeded accordingly, and it was thought it did 
much better for me to set and hear, and once in a while make 
a serious remark, than to have gone into it otherwise. I think 
it took us two days and a half to bring the business to a final 
settlement. But when we came to go into the business, it 
appeared that one of the contending Friends had committed 
the crime, in a poor part of the country, of getting richer than 
any of his brethren, and not by speculation, but by good econ- 
omy and prudent industry. And now it was to keep him down 
and not let him get proud. It seemed this Friend and his 
wife were desirous to have the business settled, and were 
brought to an agreement, at a considerable loss of property. 
The business was agreed to by all parties ; but in a few hours 
the other side flew off, and did so three times, and seemed not 
to regard their promise until the suit was like to turn to their 
discredit and disadvantage. They then complied, and signed 
m article of settlement. "We could have given no countenance 



242 JOURNAL OF 

to the loss the Friend sustained, had he not given way to im- 
proper resentment, and made some wrong moves in his own 
defense, and had given advantage, which the others were dis- 
posed to hold on to. So that we thought it best to advise him 
to comply. 

After getting through this siege, I passed through the re- 
mainder of this Quarter pretty smoothly, and crossed the Hud- 
son river into Nine Partners Quarterly Meeting, and had meet- 
ings at Pougbkeepsie, Pleasant Valley, and Oswego ; at the 
latter place, I attended a Monthly Meeting. Hereabout was 
another set of Banters, whom Friends had disowned ; but I 
had not fallen in with them before, in this part of the country, 
that I knew of. To this meeting, two of their champion preach- 
ers came. Here, I felt my mind arrested with a question that 
was so singular, I did not know for a long time, what to think 
or make of it ; at length, I became persuaded it was best to let 
the meeting have it, and arose on my feet, I think, with these 
words : " I have been thinking, whether there is any person 
in this meeting, who has ever read in any history that may be 
relied on, or found in the Scriptures, that God ever created 
such a creature, as all mouth and no ears." Here, I made a 
pause, and then proceeded : " if God never made such a crea- 
ture, and if there were such creatures in mutability, then it 
must be that the devil had a hand in making them such crea- 
tures." I then proceeded as I felt ability and utterance given, 
and was led to show that such a creature was out of all proper 
shape, and could not be in the order of the Great Creator, and 
must be a monster, and therefore could only work in its own 
element, to destroy harmony, lay waste order, which was God's 
creation, and spread confusion amongst the inhabitants of the 
earth ; and it would be wise for the children of men to be on 
guard and beware of them. I was led largely, plainly, and 
fully into the subject, and enabled to clear my mind, so as to 
feel well satisfied. 

Soon after the close of my testimony, the meeting proceeded 
quietly to business, but these men were so disturbed, that the 



JOSEPH HOAG. 243 

champion of the two, staid near by until the meeting was over. 
I went direct to a Friend's house to take dinner ; he came there, 
and walked to and fro by the door, sending in word several 
times, that he wanted to talk with me. So, as soon as I had 
done eating, I went to him. We talked, I think, for an hour ; 
he poured out heavy censures on me and Friends, for awhile, I 
thought best to keep much in the quiet, until he had emptied his 
store. I then asked, what his principles were, that he and 
Friends could not agree ? He then stated, that he believed 
mankind came into the world as all other animals did, without 
any other souls than the beasts had ; their souls went down to 
the earth when they died, and so it was with mankind, until 
they were quickened by Grace, and Grace, if they were faithful 
to it, immortalized the soul. I asked him, what became of 
children before Grace came on them ? He answered, " they 
died as beasts did ; their souls went down into the earth, and 
ceased to be." I asked, what became of the man who embraced 
Grace, and ran well for a season, and then made shipwreck of 
faith and a good conscience, and died in that state ? He an- 
swered, " the Grace returned to its own fountain, and the man 
dropped into the condition of the beast, and when he died, was 
like the beast ; he ceased to be." I asked him, if he preached such 
doctrine in our meetings ? He said, "Yes." I replied, "I think 
Friends have done well to disown thee, for these are not our prin- 
ciples, and never were, and thou knowest it ; and what dost thou 
want to be a member for ? " He said, " to spread the Truth 
among the rising generation, for the old ones would not be mov- 
ed, and his being disowned, deprived him of the privilege 
of doing his duty ;" and then exclaimed, " that old, superstitious 
book, the discipline, will tear you all to pieces yet." I an- 
swered, " Thou art mistaken, for it has proved a wall around 
our Society, for almost two centuries, which always has enabled 
them, when giddy headed men rose up and propagated false 
principles — and would not desist — to put them out of Society, 
and prevent their spreading discord among the brethren, and 
drawing the youth into wild notions ; and thou wilt find it will 



244 JOURNAL OF 

answer the same purpose now, if kept to." This stopped him 
on that point. I embraced the opportunity to ask him, how 
he came by these principles ? He said, " by revelation." I 
thought it now time to bring him to the binding points, which 
had stopped the mouths of all his brethren I had fallen in with ; 
so I asked, " what proof they gave of their revelation ? " He 
said, " the same as the prophets did — ' thus saith the Lord ' — 
and those who did not receive them, were punished, and so 
they would be now." I then remarked, " your revelation con- 
tradicts abundance of the Scripture ; and seeing that God chose 
His own way, when He introduced the bible into the world by 
the hand of Moses ; He sent him with a message, ' Thus saith 
the Lord God ; ' and then endued him with power to work 
marvellous signs and wonders, such as had never been seen or 
heard of, and in the presence of unbelievers as well as believers, 
in proof of his revelation. And it did not end here ; it con- 
tinued with Joshua, and several of the prophets at different 
ages ; and this is not all ; when Jesus Christ came into the 
world to introduce the Gospel to the people, He did not ask 
the people to receive Him as Christ, until He had worked many 
miracles, such as had never been seen or heard of before, and 
far to exceed Moses ; for Moses' miracles were punishments, 
and the display of the power of God on the wicked. But Jesus 
Christ's miracles were benevolence, and mercy to suffering hu- 
manity — the full revelation of His love and tender mercies to 
all people. Yet, He did not call on them to believe Him, but 
for the work's sake ; for, said He, c No man hath done the ' 
works ye see me do.' And now, friend, thou hast told me, that 
your revelation has carried you beyond all the old prophets, 
beyond the apostles and all our ancient Friends, into the vision 
of light ; beyond what any of these ever saw, and that it has 
carried you beyond the Scriptures ; and in that, your revelation 
contradicts the revelation of the Scriptures. For the power of 
working miracles did not end with the outward Ministry of 
Jesus Christ, but rested on His apostles, His successors, long 
after His ascension. Now, friend, we look back as well as for- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 245 

ward, and when we reflect seriously, on the mighty, and long 
continued evidence of both the former dispensations, we think 
that He is the same God He ever was, and changes not ; and 
that His love and long forbearance, is as much toward the peo- 
ple, as it ever was ; and we think, that if God was about to re- 
veal a new dispensation, which would be more glorious than 
either of the others, that you would give an evidence answera- 
ble to the magnitude of the revelation ; seeing He has always 
taken that way. So, that there are too many sound heads in 
our Society, to be drawn off of this ancient foundation, and well 
proved doctrine of the Gospel and Divine revelation, by noth- 
ing better than the bold, empty assertion of a few confident 
men ; and that, in contradiction to all well proved revelation." 
To all this, he made no answer ; but mused awhile, and then 
exclaimed, " I always heard, that thee was a tender spirited, 
charitable man, but I am disappointed, for I now see that thou 
art as much laced up in that old buckram superstition, as any 
of them." And so we parted. 

Previous to this, I had a number of meetings laid out, and 
notice of the appointments timely given ; so that when I 
came to Crum Elbow, Little Nine Partners, and the Creek, I 
had full and satisfactory meetings ; but when I came to Stan- 
ford, though Friends had received the notice, they had made 
no appointment for the meeting, so I passed on to the Plains, 
thence to Nine Partners ; then turned about, and attended the 
Creek Monthly Meeting. Here, I observed that two Friends 
mostly dictated the business, and when any one opposed them, 
they bore heavily upon such ; and if they said nothing, they 
urged them to unite : the effect was, that they had nearly all 
the speaking to do, and the business went heavily. After the 
business was through, I told them what effect such conduct had 
on the meeting, and felt good satisfaction in telling them my 
mind. There was a complaint brought against a member for 
drunkenness, and was under the care of a committee, and no 
favorable report ; but these two Friends strove hard to throw 



246 JOURNAL OF 

it out, and have no further notice taken of it ; yet, they did 
not effect their purpose that day. 

The next day, I attended Stanford Monthly Meeting, held at Lit- 
tle Xine Partners, where I had satisfactory service to myself and 
Friends. After meeting, I set forward for home, and thought 
I saw my way clear, expecting to be at Hudson meeting the 
next day. I had a borrowed horse ; for when I was in the 
Otego country, my beast was taken sick, so that she could not 
travel, and a kind Friend, Aaron Wing, lent me a noble young 
horse, a fine traveller, to go the rest of the journey. All the 
time I had him, he never lost his course for home, and when- 
ever he saw a road that turned that way, he would pull hard 
for it. But on this afternoon, when I started, and thought to 
make good headway, as the horse would travel freely towards 
home, after a few miles drive, I came to a road that turned from 
his home, and the horse, for the first time, pressed hard to take 
it; but I urged him by, and though a lively horse, he after- 
wards traveled slowly and dull, so that I had to urge him on. 
A heavy feeling came over me ; I could not see for what, but 
it increased as I went forward, and I concluded, if I came to 
another road, and the horse made a choice, he should go where 
he would. I soon came to a road that turned the same way 
the other did ; the horse crowded for it, so I let him go ; he 
then pressed ahead, and traveled fast. My mind became easy, 
and I went on until I came in sight of the stage road, conclud- 
ing to let the horse go where he pleased ; when we came to 
it, the horse turned again from home, and went ahead fast, un- 
til near night, before he slackened his speed. I then enquired 
if any Friends lived on that road, and was answered, that some 
distance beyond, a half Quaker lived, and his wife was a whole 
one. I passed on, and enquired again ; was answered as be- 
fore. A man standing by, said he was his neighbor, and if I 
would let him ride, he would show me his house. When I got 
there, I found him so drunk that he could but just totter about, 
and not able to talk plain. When morning came, I cleared 
my mind, and left him, and went on to Cram Elbow ; being 



JOSEPH HOAG. 



247 



first day, we had a large, solemn, favored meeting, so that I 
was satisfied I was in my right place, though a horse was my 
pilot. 

After meeting, I informed Friends, with whom I lodged, and 
how I found him. They then told me, he was the man the 
complaint stood against, that the two Friends strove to throw 
out, as being taken up on a trifling affair ; and that he had 
been in the practice of drinking strong liquors, to intoxication, 
for years, and it was much known round the country, among 
every sort of people. I said in my heart, "alas ! if these are 
the principles of those who sit at the head of government, an 
Elder and a Minister, who will rise up and endeavor to sup- 
press discipline, and prevent the testimony of Truth from going 
forth against such filthy evils, it is no marvel that it is felt, that 
the Spirit of the Lamb of God groaneth under crucifying suf- 
ferings ; and that the spirits of the upright mourn in sackcloth 
and ashes, to see the wall about the Church broken down, by 
those who ought to stand as faithful watchmen, to keep it in 
good repair and good order. Where there is such unsound- 
ness in the head, the faintness is such, that when they attempt 
to do the business of the Church, it drags like Pharoah's char- 
iot wheels." 

From Crum Elbow, I felt drawings in my mind to attend my 
own Yearly Meeting. After considering it, I became satisfied 
it was best. I took Amawalk, and Shappaqua on my way; I 
was led into close, painful labor, there being much of a worldly 
spirit, self-security, and worldly wisdom in these meetings, so 
that it was painful ; being made sensible that the true spirit of 
the Gospel was much oppressed in the minds of many, but not 
in all, I think. I attended the Yearly Meeting, which was 
deeply exercising, in the several sittings thereof; yet the busi- 
ness was conducted in a good degree of condescension, and 
ended quietly. After the close of the Yearly Meeting, I felt 
my mind arrested to be at Shappaqua meeting, on first day. 
"When I got there, my Master showed me a monster, and his 
name was Great I, and my Master constrained me to describe 



248 JOURNAL OF 

liiin to the people, that they might know he was a monster, 
and not a disciple of Jesus Christ. It was a solemn day to 
me. At four in the afternoon, I had a meeting at Croton where 
my testimony did not suit all. I was led to preach up the 
doctrines and acknowledge the Divinity of Jesus Christ ; and 
after meeting, was treated with great coolness. From here, I 
went pretty directly on to return my borrowed horse ; and 
when I got there, my little mare was dead, and I had to borrow 
the horse the second time, to get home, where I arrived in the 
6th month, after an absence of five months or more, in which 
time I had many sore conflicts to pass through. But such was 
the goodness of the Lord, that He supported me, feeling His 
strong arm underneath, to bear up in every trial, and His power 
to give strength in every battle, with wisdom and utterance in 
in every needful time. Thus the Lord marvelously led me 
along, in such a way that I had the opportunity of clearing my 
mind to good satisfaction, and to silence those wicked, false 
reports, which were sent over the country ; so much so, I was 
credibly told, that one of the Friends who gave the reports 
credit, wrote to his correspondents and connections, informing 
them that I had been in his country, and had visited nearly all 
the meetings in those parts, and that my conduct and labors 
in the ministry had been to good satisfaction wherever I had 
been, and that he had heard me ; that he never had better unity 
with me in any part of my life. This got to them before I got 
home, and stopped their clamor; so that through the mercy of 
the Most High God, in his interposition, all was still without, 
when I got home, and my mind richly filled with peace. Bless- 
ed, worshipped and adored, be the Lord, my Redeemer, for- 
ever more ! 



CHAPTER IX. 
In the year 1823, I felt my mind arrested from day to day, 
with drawings in Gospel love, to pay a religious visit to Friends 
and others, in the northern and western pails of my own Yearly 
Meeting, Ohio, Indiana, and some parts of North Carolina 
Yearly Meetings. After weighing the concern in my mind 
several months, I told my Master, that my situation and cir- 
cumstances were such, being much in debt, and there had 
been so much division of sentiment in the Monthly and Quar- 
terly Meetings, and I, in obedience to Him, had taken an ac- 
tive part in them, to maintain discipline, that Truth, and Soci- 
ety should not be scandalously reproached ; and in so doing, I 
had offended so many, that they would not let me go. My 
Master returned me the answer, " Do what I bid thee, and if I 
do not make way for thee, thou shalt be clear." So I laid my 
concern before the Monthly Meeting ; it had a month to con- 
sider of it ; it was then united with, without a dissenting voice. 
I took my certificate to the Quarter, and laid it, with my con- 
cern, before that meeting ; it took time solidly to consider it, 
and uniting rally with my concern, set me at liberty. I made 
preparations, and took leave of my family and friends the 6th 
of 12th month, 1823, Samuel Knowles being my companion. 
We crossed the Lake, and arrived at Peru on seventh day. We 
staid (having several meetings thereabouts) until fifth day fol- 
lowing, when we set forward for Black River. It took us four 
days to reach Indian river, the first settlement of Friends we 
came to — (it is now called Philadelphia), and had a meeting- 
there on the 15th, with Friends and others; and found the 
same old satan, who met with the sons of God in Job's day — 
16 



250 JOURNAL OF 

and as his manner was in that day, to set them to accuse and 
hurt one another, so it is with him now ; he had got into this 
little meeting, and had sown so much of the seed of jealousy, 
that it had broken out into a flame, and almost destroyed the 
meeting. The flame had a little abated, but its anguish still 
remained. We had much .painful labor with them, but were 
mercifully enabled to clear our minds, so as to feel relieved. 

On the 16th, we had a full meeting at Le Eay ; this was also 
deeply exercising, there being much want of true Gospel love 
amongst them. Holy help was mercifully felt, to enable me to 
clear my mind, so as to feel well relieved. From here we went 
to Brownsville and Lowville, and had a satisfactory meeting at 
each place. 23d, we had a meeting at Western. I was at that 
place some years before, and it appeared a hopeful, growing 
meeting in the Truth; but the old serpent had got among 
them, and on the seat of judgment, having nearly destroyed 
all the precious life of the Lamb of God amongst them — a dried 
tip, barren meeting. 24th, we were at Lee meeting ; here was 
felt a lively concern among them, though all was not well ; but 
much more comfortable than the other meeting. 25th, we re- 
turned to our kind Friend, Thomas Townsend's, in Lowville, 
and proceeded to Germantown, where we had a satisfactory 
meeting. Then, to Pleasant Creek Meeting, and returned to 
Brownville, aud had a good, solid meeting there ; mostly with 
those not members of our Society, and returned to Pleasant 
Creek. From here, we proceeded to Morristown, on the riv- 
er St. Lawrence, forty-five miles, and got there just at dark. 
The next morning we crossed the Eiver, and w r ent to Jedadiah 
Wing's, in the town of Yonge, Lower Canada. Here, we at- 
tended their Preparative Meeting, which, from a small begin- 
ning, had become much increased, and a pretty lively meeting. 
Here Friends had kept together in the quiet, and their neigh- 
bors loved them. From this, we drove to Elizabethtown, and 
got to Isaac Booth's the first day of the year, 1824. The day 
following, we went to Brockville, and had a meeting in the 
town, among a hardy set of the human family ; returning to 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 251 

Elizabcthtown the same day, and appointed a meeting there, to 
be held the next day, in the afternoon. Next morning, being 
first day, the 4tli of 1st month, we drove twelve miles, and at- 
tended Friend's Meeting at Yonge, and returned seasonably, to 
attend our appointed meeting. 

On second day, we set out for Kingston ; drove fifty-four 
miles, and got there in the evening, and put up with Peter 
Knight. Third day, we had a meeting at Kingston ; this has 
become very small by Friends moving away. We had anoth- 
er in the evening in the village, at the Methodist meeting 
house, which was pretty large ; the people sat respectfully 
quiet, the meeting was favored, and the Truth was felt to spread 
over it, and it closed with -solemnity. From here, we drove to 
Earnest town, forty-one miles, and stopped at John Burley's, 
and had a meeting in this town, on sixth day ; and after meet- 
ing we drove twenty miles, to Daniel Haight's, in Adolphus 
town. Seventh day, we lay by. First day, 11th, attended 
that meeting. Here, some years ago, was a large, lively meet- 
ing, but some of its members having a high opinion of 
themselves — much more so than they were worthy of, or their 
Friends had of them — they sought the rule and government, 
and were much uneasy ; and in order to get power into their 
hands, they stirred up false jealousy against their better breth- 
ren, and had much borne them down, and laid the meeting al- 
most in a state of desolation. They greatly oppressed the bet- 
ter class, were still disposed to lord over God's heritage ; they 
seemed afraid that anything should rise above them, however 
clear in the Truth ; so that the innocent, righteous seed, was 
much oppressed in this place ; and will be, until the Lord is 
pleased to rebuke spiritual pride in high places, and lay giant 
self confidence low ; which may He do for His own name's 
sake, and in mercy to His suffering remnant and precious seed ! 
Some of the leaders of this mischief merged into other meetings, 
where they could have more influence. It was mournful to 
feel and see what the old enemy, by spiritual pride through his 



252 JOURNAL OF 

agents, had done. I had much painful labor with Friends in 
these parts, both in public and private. 

Second day, we went to Grassy Point, and had a little poor 
meeting, in a big-feeling member's house. Third day, we went 
to Hollowell, twenty miles, and attended that Select Meeting, 
on fourth day. It was seriously painful, and deeply exercising, 
for I perceived that self-importance had got into this depart- 
ment, and it was jealous and afraid ; but through the goodness 
of the Most High, I was strengthened to discharge my duty 
faithfully, and felt peace. Fifth day, attended their Monthly 
Meeting ; after it we w r ent to Sidney, where we had a meeting 
with Friends, and two amongst other people ; all of them to 
good satisfaction, being favored meetings. Second day, 19th, 
we went to Coal Creek, and had a comfortable meeting there 
the 20th, and after it, we went back to Sidney. Fourth day, we 
returned to Hollowell, and made our home with Jonathan 
Clark, and attended that meeting on fifth day. Sixth day, we 
had a meeting in Hollowell village, a cold, careless place, and 
hard getting along. First day, 25th, we attended Amelias- 
burg meeting ; it was a solemn, favored time, and we returned 
to Jonathan Clark's, where we lay by on the 26th, not being 
well. 

Third day, the 27th, attended the Select Half Year's Meet- 
ing. It was deeply exercising ; the want of Gospel love, true 
charity, and fervent zeal, were sensibly felt amongst them. 
Fourth day, attended the meeting for business ; in it I had an 
opportunity to see their jealous fears, and also to clear my 
mind in a plain, feeling manner, and was well relieved ; it 
stilled them much for the day. Fifth day was the closing and 
parting meeting, and was a favored, precious time. From this, 
we went to the Carrying Place, had a meeting there on the 
30th, at evening, which was said to be the largest ever held in 
the place. The people were civil and attentive ; the meeting 
became solid, and ended so. Then went to Cramahe, where 
we had a meeting in the Methodist meeting house, on first 
dav the 1st of 2d month, and had another meeting in the eve- 



JOSEPH IIOAO. 253 

ning at Holderman ; both to good satisfaction to ourselves, and 
appeared so to be with the people. We lodged with Freeman 
Clarke. Second day, we drove to Cyrus Richmond's. 3d of 
the month, we had a meeting in Hope, and another in the eve- 
ning in the same towu. In both of these meetings the doc- 
trines of Truth flowed free and clear. 4th, we proceeded to 
Whitby. 5th, we attended that Preparative Meeting. And it 
was a tough meeting ; it seemed as though I could but just 
live through it ; for some who sat at the head appeared rotten- 
hearted, and full of mischief. I had to deal out coarse medi- 
cine to them which made my; heart ache, but my good Master 
rewarded me well for it. After meeting we went to Timothy 
Roger's, where we were well received. 

Sixth day, had a meeting at one M 's, and another in the 

evening at John Haight's ; the latter a very satisfactory meet- 
ing. Y.th, went to Uxbridge. First day, the 8th, we attended 
that meeting. 9th, went to Whit Church. 10th, had a meet- 
ing there. 11th, we went to Queen Street Meeting; here are 
a number who have dissented from Friends, and gone into wild 
Ranterism. Several of them came to the meeting ; though I 
knew it not. I had a solemn testimony to bear, and felt the 
mighty power of the Lord to go over the heads of all opposing 
spirits so that Truth reigned. Fifth day, was at Yonge Street 
Monthly Meeting ; in it I had good service. Sixth day, went 
to Luke Stoutenburg's. 14th, went to Little York (now To- 
ronto), had a meeting in the town, at evening. To it came a 
number of gay people, who sat quiet and attentive, and passed 
soberly away. 15th, and first day, we attempted to return to 
Stoutenburg's, to have a meeting in that neighborhood in the 
evening, but there came such a fall of snow that we could not 
get in seasonably. 16th, we returned to Yonge Street, with 
our horses much fatigued. 17th, we attended Queen Street 
Meeting ; but not feeling clear we had a meeting appointed in 
the evening. In it way opened to relieve my mind pretty ful- 
ly. 1 8th, we had an appointed meeting at West Gillensbnry, 
returned to Yonge street, at evening, aud attended that meet- 



254 JOURNAL OF 

ing again on fifth day. Sixth day we attended a meeting 
at Markham in the evening. Seventh day, we drove to 
Pickering, and attended their meeting on first day, the 2 2d. 
Second day, we drove forty miles, and on third day, fifty-two 
miles, to a small settlement of Friends in Ancaster ; we stopped 
and had a meeting with them on fourth day. 

On fifth day, the 26th, we drove to Norwich. Here I had 
my feelings exceedingly tried ; for 1 had not been long in the 
Friend's honse, where I pnt up, before he wanted to have my 
opinion on some affairs amongst them. I told him, I came 
there knowing nothing, and it was my right to go away know- 
ing nothing, except they saw a wrong in me, and then they 
should let me know it. I desired him to forbear, and not tell 
me anything. He pressed me so hard to hear him, that I told 
him at last, if he would not forbear, I would leave his house, 
and go where they would let me be quiet ; for I would not 
have my ears rilled with outward information. After that, he 
let me alone. When I came to meeting I found myself plunged 
into thick darkness that could be felt, and felt a spirit amongst 
them as bitter as the waters of Meribah. My Master laid it on 
me to deliver His word faithfully and plainly, without any 
shadow of turning ; it was a solemn, trying day to me, but 
strength and fortitude were given, sufficient for the day, and 
utterance for the occasion, through the tender goodness of Isra- 
el's holy Helper. 

First day, 29th, we attended the same meeting, where I was 
silent. There came in a Minister of their own from another 
meeting, who took up such a length of time in preaching, that 
I had no opportunity to relieve my mind. I thought his com- 
munication was not to the purpose, so that I had to pass the 
meeting in deep suffering, being led into a clear sense, that the 
destroyer of all good had got amongst them ; he had got into 
the seat of judgment, where he had not only exalted himself 
above all that is called God; but through agents, was endeav- 
oring to destroy the man child as soon at it was born — he had 
cast out his floods to swallow up the woman, the mother — but 



JOSEPH HOAG. . 255 

the Lord, in mercy, hath hitherto caused the earth to open her 
mouth and swallow up the floods, so that the child and its 
mother are not quite destroyed, although they are under great 
sufferings. Oh ! may the righteous Lord, for his own Name's 
sake, and the promotion of Truth and righteousness in the earth, 
continue to sustain the true mother, and lift up the head of the 
holy child, to the casting down and dethroning the old serpent 
from lording it over God's heritage ! 

The 1st of 3d month, second day, we had a meeting at Pine 
Street ; there are but few Friends here, and the meeting small 
and weak Thence to Yarmouth, fifty miles. The country be- 
ing new, and roads bad, it took two days. Fifth day, we had 
a meeting with Friends and others of that place ; notice being 
given the meeting was large, and much favored. Here is a 
hopeful prospect of a growing meeting ; the members appeared 
to be in good friendship one with another, and to live peace- 
ably with their neighbors. Sixth day, we had a meeting at 
Talbot street. Though small, it was satisfactory. From this, 
we returned to Norwich, and reached there seventh day. First 
day, the 7th, we attended that meeting ; in it holy help was 
richly felt, and my mind was so strengthened thereby, that I 
spoke in undisguised plainness, and got much relief. Second 
and third days we had no meetings. On fourth day, the 10th 
came on their Monthly Meeting ; we attended it. They came 
in from all the different meetings, and brought themselves along 
just such creatures as they were at home, and brought their 
rubbish with them. My mind was brought into a deeply bowed 
state before the Lord in the early sitting down of the meeting, 
and was led into so clear a view of the state of it, that I could 
have no doubt or scruple of the opening. Under the increas- 
ing weight of the subject, I felt a necessity to rise on my feet, 
in the impressive flowings of the Gospel. I was led in much 
plainness to show the sad effects of surmising jealousy, which, 
tormented with a fear that others would be better thought of 
than themselves ; when nursed with imagination, this soil pro- 
duced heart-burning hatred, which fed the hot coals of malice, 



256 JOURNAL OF 

that not only tormented them in whom they were nursed and 
kept alive, but after, broke out in destroying flames of slander, 
which spread discord amongst brethren, and separated near 
Friends. I was led solemly to warn them against these evils, 
and was strengthened to proclain the day of the Lord amongst 
them, greatly to the peace and relief of my own mind. 

Fifth day, we went to Long Point. Sixth day, we went to 
Richard Meade's. Seventh day, we had a meeting in the town 
of YToodhouse, and another in the evening, in Charlotteville. 
First day, the 14th, we had a meeting at Burford, at eleven in 
the morning, another at three in the afternoon, at Windon 
meeting house, and the third, at candle lighting, at a village 
called Waterford. Second day, returned to Norwich, and third 
day, being snowy, we lay by. Fourth day, we attended that 
meeting for the last time, where I had to proclaim a solemn 
alarm amongst them, so that I felt clear of the blood of all 
mankind in that part of the country, and left them with a 
peaceful mind, and a heart full of pity. 

Fifth and sixth days, we drove to Pelham, and put up with 
Samuel Taylor. Seventh day, we had a meeting there, and 
had a meeting at Lyne's Creek in the evening. First day, the 
2 1st, we attended Black Creek meeting, and were favored with 
the presence of the Lord to our comfort, and much to the re- 
newal of our strength. It being the last meeting, we took our 
farewell of the British government. Second day, we traveled 
thirty miles, and on third day, we crossed the river into the 
State of New York, arriving at Lockport in the evening, and put 
up with my much esteemed Friend. Jared Comstock. Fourth 
day, we lay by, and attended that meeting on fifth day. TVe 
then passed on to Hartland, and had a meeting there on sixth 
day. On seventh day, we returned to Lockport, and attended 
their meeting on first day. the 28th, where I had an opportu- 
nity to clear my mind to satisfaction, and after meeting we re- 
turned to Hartland. Second day, went to Somerset, and had 
a meeting with the few Friends of that place, and their neigh- 
bors, and returned to Hartland. Fourth day, we drove to Rov 



JOSEPH HOAG. 257 

alton, and attended their mid-week meeting ; but not feeling 
clear, we appointed another meeting for fifth day, the 1st of 
4th month, which was much to my satisfaction. We then 
passed on to Shelby, where we had a meeting on seventh day. 
First day, we attended a little meeting at Elba. Several of 
these last meetings were small. It was easier getting along 
than in the large, old meetings, where wealth and distinction 
are looked at, for in new countries they have much to struggle 
with, and have to be helpful to each other. They are glad to 
see their Friends, and generally stand open to receive what we 
have for them, with less extravagance and more true humility, 
than is often the case in old and populous places. 

Second day, we drove to RigSa, and had a meeting there on 
third day. Fourth day, had a meeting at Wheatland. Fifth 
day, at Henrietta, where my Master gave me nothing for the 
people. After meeting, we drove to Eochester, and had a 
meeting there on sixth day. We went to Macedon the same 
day, and attended an appointed meeting there on seventh day ; 
and another at four in the afternoon, in Palmyra village. First 
day, the 11th, we attended Farmington meeting, and second 
day appointed a meeting at South Farmington. Third day, 
had a meeting at Galen. Fourth day, we were at the mid- 
week meeting at Junius. After meeting, we drove fifteen miles, 
and reached Milo in season to attend that meeting on fifth day, 
but had nothing to impart to them. I sat and looked on them 
with pity, for it appeared clear to me that a slack, easy, un- 
believing spirit, was making its way among the people in that 
part of the land. 

On sixth day we drove twenty-eight miles to Scipio, and 
first day, the 18th, we were at Springport meeting. Second 
day we visited Scipio North meeting. In this meeting my 
mind was feelingly arrested with a sorrowful sense, that an in- 
fidel spirit was prevailing among them. I felt constrained to 
bear a faithful testimony against unbelief, and invalidating the 
Holy Scriptures, ridiculing the truths of the Gospel, and ma- 
king light of those truths that God had already revealed. As I 



258 JOURNAL OF 

stepped along in the exercise of my testimony, I felt the 
power of Truth to go forth in the name of Jesus Christ, in such 
authority, that their walls gave way, and their weapons fell. 
Truth arose in dominion, and reigned that day to the joy of 
many minds, which had been much borne down with this un- 
believing, rending spirit, that had crept into our Society. 

Third, fourth, and fifth days, attended Farmington Quarter- 
ly Meeting, held at Scipio. In the Meeting of Ministers and 
Elders, I was made painfully sensible that unbelief had got into 
this part of Society. It had crept in as the serpent creeps on 
his belly among the weeds, unperceived and unthought of, and 
was secreted under the plain Christian cloak, while it was en- 
deavoring to undermine the truths of the Gospel, and lay waste 
the discipline, and destroy all good order in our Society. I 
had to sound an alann among them, and it made a stir. I felt 
great peace for the discharge of duty on this occasion. In the 
other meetings I had but little service, except to set the exam- 
ple of silence. After Quarterly Meeting, we toot Salmon Creek, 
Sempronius and Skaneateles. From there we went to De Ruy- 
ter 2 where we staid until their Monthly Meeting. Fourth day, 
the 28th, which was another trying meeting; for where the 
head is sick- or unsound, it is not to be marveled that the body 
becomes diseased. Strength was given to bear a faithful testi- 
mony and sound an alarm amongst them, so as to feel pretty 
well relieved. I could but mourn in seeing how insensible that 
meeting was of its own state, so that I said in my heart, poor 
meeting ! thou needest eye-salve to give thee true sight ; may 
the Lord grant thee that favor before it be too late ! Then re- 
turned to Scipio, and attended that meeting on first day, the 
2d of 5th month. Thence to Hector, and had a meeting, and 
another at Elrnira, on our way to Deerfield, where we found 
Friends in a sad condition. A Minister belonging there had 
gone into immoral conduct, and drawn a party with him, and 
got the meeting into such a state, that it had been put down 
for awhile. After some time, a few of them not feeling easy 
to live so, met quietly by themselves. The Monthly Meeting 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 259 

hearing of this move, appointed a committee to visit them, who 
went and sat with them, and approved of their meeting, but 
advised them to 2*0 to the meeting house, instead of meetino- at 
a dwelling house. This displaced the Minister from his usual 
seat, which so offended him, that he and his company went and 
sat on the back seats. "When I came into the place I felt my 
mind arrested to call Friends and their families together by 
themselves. Friends had kept me entirely ignorant of their 
situation, and when they came together, to see them sit down 
in two distinct bodies, and an empty seat between them across 
the house, it looked strange. But I soon felt there was a cause 
for it. I sat near an hour, until my Master gave me the com- 
mand to delay no longer. I rose on my feet in faith, and He 
was bountifully good to me ; He furnished with matter, ability, 
and utterance, so that it was acknowledged, after meeting, the 
testimony was appropriate and well applied. Blessed be His 
name ! 

We staid hereabouts until first day, the 9th of 5th month, 
and had a large public meeting, which was truly satisfactory. 
We then set forward for Farmington, and on our way, had a 
meeting at Penn Yan with the towns people. It proved a com- 
fortable time. After attending Farmington meeting, we had a 
meeting at Palmyra village, on sixth day. First day following, 
attended Farmington meeting, where I was enabled fully to 
clear my mind, and felt much relieved. Second day, we took 
our departure, and journeyed to Moscow, and fell in with Phin- 
eas Butler, at whose house I staid twenty years before, when 
in the eastern country, and now found him and family settled 
here, a pleasant meeting to us both. Fourth day, attended 
their meeting, and passed on to Orangeville, and had a meet- 
ing there. Then went to Hamburgh, and had a large meeting 
there. Here, I fell in with many of my old Friends, who ap- 
peared rejoiced to see me. From here, we took Holland, Bos- 
ton and Eden, three small meetings, in our way, to Collins, 
where we had a meeting with Friends, and had another meet- 
ing the same day, about three miles from Friends meeting- 



260 JOURNAL OF 

house. Then, passed on to Clear Creek, and had a meeting 
with Friends there. This closed our labors in Farmington 
Quarter. 

We took an affectionate leave of our Friends, and set for- 
ward for Ohio the 27th of 5th month, passing over the Indian 
Eeservation, a fine tract of rich farming land as I had ever seen. 
Next day, we got into Pennsylvania, having traveled fifty 
B miles, through a fine, flourishing country of farming land, and 
good roads. 29th, we traveled forty-two miles through a new 
country, arid lodged at Kingsville, in Ohio. First day, 30th, 
w r e drove fifty miles, mostly on the turnpike, through a new 
country. 31st, we drove thirty miles and reached Salem be- 
fore night, and put up with Samuel Davis, where we found 
kind reception. Fourth-day, the 2d of 6th month, we attend- 
ed Salem meeting in course. Fifth day, at Springfield meet- 
ing — both satisfactory meetings. Sixth day, at Goshen. Sev- 
enth day at Lexington. First day, the 6th, we were at Peer 
Creek Meeting. At all these meetings, the Master of Israel's 
assemblies, furnished with matter, ability and utterance, to the 
satisfaction of my own mind, and my friends, among whom my 
lot was cast. Second day, we were at Marlborough meeting. 
Third day, we drove to Kendall, and made our home with 
Mayhew Folger. In this part of tbe country, we saw much 
land made almost barren, by the timber having been destroyed 
by fire. After having a poor meeting at Kendall, we set for- 
ward for Augusta, thirty miles, and had a meeting there on 
sixth day. Seventh day, had a meeting at Sandy Spring. 
First-day, the 13th, attended New Garden meeting, and anoth- 
er at four in the afternoon at the Grove. At a number of 
these last meetings, a coolness too generally appeared amongst 
Friends, in a concern for the cause of Truth, and the things 
that belong to their peace. Much of an eager pursuit after the 
world, prevailed, and in some meetings unity and Gospel love 
were much wanting, all which made it painful, exercising get- 
ting along. But the Lord, who is rich in mercy, and bounti- 
ful in helping, so strengthened from day to day, with ability 



josEni iioag. 261 

and utterance, that I enjoyed sweet peace and solid satisfaction. 
I often had to acknowledge, it is Thou, O Lord ! who earnest 
on the work ; for without Thee, I can do nothing to Thy hon- 
or, or my owm peace. Therefore, leave me not in this strange 
land, for Thou art my all in all ; be pleased to guard, guide, 
and load me in the right way ; for Thine is the kingdom, the 
power, and glory forever more ! 

Second day, we had a meeting at New Lisbon. Third day, 
at Middleton. Fourth day, at Beaver Falls, in Pennsylvania. 
From there we w r ent to Dry Run, and had a small meeting. 
Then to Carmel, where we had a large, comfortable meeting ; 
and seventh day we attended their Monthly Meeting, to our 
own and Friends' satisfaction. First day, the 20th, we attend- 
ed Eckron meeting. Second day, at Middleton Monthly Meet- 
ing, where my Master enabled me to bear an honest, faithful 
testimony, and rewarded me well for it. Third day, had a 
meeting at Fairfield, and attended Salem Monthly Meeting on 
Fourth day, the 23d, where was a body of solid Friends. 
Their business w T as conducted regularly, and in harmony, 
though they told me it had been far otherwise. A class had 
risen up, who denied some of the doctrines of Friends, exclaim- 
ing against, and endeavoring to lay waste the discipline, saying, 
"It is superstition — a dead letter — tyrannizing over conscience 
— and we must go by the Spirit, and have liberty." These be- 
came so wild and noisy, that Friends could see no other way, 
than to disown more than forty persons, within the compass of 
Salem Quarterly Meeting; since which their meetings have 
been quiet and orderly. Fifth day, we attended New Garden 
Monthly Meeting, and Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting on sixth 
day, in both of which I had to go into close, searching labor, 
and plain dealing, and was relieved thereby. Seventh day we 
had an appointed meeting at Franklin. First day had another 

at . Thence to Richmond, and had a meeting there on 

third day. We then drove to Benjamin Ladd's, at Smithfield, 
where we had a large meeting on fourth day, made up of diff- 
erent societies. Here I was led into doctrine in a plain, clear, 



262 JOURNAL OF 

manner, showing the emptiness of ceremonial religion without 
the power and spirit of the Gospel, and where this spirit was 
enjoyed, and had its work on the soul, it produced regenera- 
tion, and effected its salvation, without the aid, and indepen- 
dent of all ceremony. I was also led to warn them not to pin 
their faith too much on their teachers ; but to believe in the 
Light, and walk in the Light, that they might see for them- 
selves. I was enabled to show them what the Light was, and 
how to know it. I was told that my doctrine did not suit all ; 
but knowing it to be the truth, and upon serious reflection, 
feeling conscious that I was rightly authorized to deliver it, I 
was well satisfied on my own account. But to my sorrow, I 
have often observed that there are those among Friends, who 
seem more concerned to have their neighbors pleased, than to 
have sound doctrine preached. 

After this meeting, we went to Short Creek, and attended 
their mid-week meeting, on fifth day, the 1st of 7th month, and 
had an appointed meeting the same day at Mount Pleasant. 
2d, we had an appointed meeting at Concord. In these three 
last meetings, the Gospel flowed gently and clear, and I found 
good acceptance with my Friends here. Thence to Plainfield, 
where we attended their first day meeting on the 4th. 5th, 
had a meeting at Goshen. 6th, had a meeting at Captina. 
7th, at Somerset. 8th, attended the Ridge meeting. In this 
route, my labors in general, were close, searching, and plain. 
There appeared too generally, a slackness in the minds of 
Friends, in regard to feeling after the life of pure, spiritual re- 
ligion ; and many were settled down in the smooth form of 
godliness, entirely void of the substantial power, and vital life 
of the Gospel day ; burdens to society, and often bringing 
grievous burdens on the shoulders of the living in the Church ; 
which they will not touch with the tip of their fingers to give 
relief. But in most of these meetings, there were those who 
endeavored to stand faithful, and labor honestly, for the sup- 
port of the cause of truth and righteousness. I was led to feel 
much for these, and sometimes was authorized to encourage 



JOSEPH HOAG. 263 

tlicm, in feelings of pure love and Gospel sympathy, to hold on 
their way, to stand faithful, and fill np their measure in their 
generation, that the crown at the end of the race, thereby would 
be made sure ; an ample reward for all we pass through in 
time. 

Sixth day, the 9th, we visited Stillwater ; a large meeting, 
and a number of substantial Friends there ; yet there were oth- 
er descriptions among them. We had a favored meeting, and 
the Truth went forth in its own authority. On first day, the 
11th, we attended that meeting again, and was authorized and 
enabled to bear a faithful testimony against oppressive specula- 
tions, over-reaching in trade, and dealing one] with another, to get 
gain ; showing that it was often oppressive, causing the needy 
to groan, and the hearts of the oppressed to cry, whose cry 
reacheth the ear of the Lord of Sabaoth, and he reserves a just 
retribution for the oppressor, against the awful day of solemn 
account. I had to proclaim a solemn warning, and leave it 
with them, and felt my mind not only relieved, but refreshed. 
The hearts of many Friends were made glad ; and some of 
them told me, that my testimony was entirely appropriate, and 
fittingly applied to the conduct and states of some in that 
meeting ; sufferers, as well as oppressors. Oh ! I felt renewed 
cause, in deep humility, to recount the marvelous, tender deal- 
ings of my God, in leading me in the right way, and sustaining 
me through the many and deep exercises He was pleased to 
lead me ; making strong my arm in the day of battle, to the 
exalting of the standard of Truth and Righteousness ; I hope to 
the praise of His ever adorable name ! 

Second day, the 12th, we had a meeting at Eichland. Third 
day, went to Gurnsey, and attended their Preparative Meeting 
on fourth day. Fifth day, had a meeting at Freeport. Sixth 
day, at Bushy Fork. Seventh day we drove to West Grove, 
and attended that meeting on first day, the 18th. Second day, 
we had a meeting on our way to Short Creek. These latter 
places visited, are mostly in new parts of the country; the 
meetings small, and some of them weak. I felt much for them, 



264 JOURNAL OF 

and was enabled to impart such counsel and encouragement as 
my good Master furnished me with. Third day, we attended 
Short Creek Monthly Meeting, where the business was con- 
ducted in harmony, and with condescension. Fourth day, wc 
attended Concord Monthly Meeting. I sat the meeting for 
worship, through in silence, occasioned by a woman Friend, 
who suppressed her gift. I passed through the meeting, 
and got no relief. After meeting, I told the woman of it ; she 
confessed, with tears, that she had withheld her gift, fearing 
she would take up the time from others. Thus, by giwg way 
to reasoning, and not minding her Lord's direction, she shut 
up the door of the Ministry that day, and hurt the meeting 
much, so that through the business meeting, things dragged 
heavily. As I got no relief that day, I had to return there 
again, and was enabled to clear my mind, and get relief. 

After the Monthly Meeting closed, we went to Wheeling, and 
had a meeting there that evening. Fifth day, we set forward 
for the head of Wheeling, and had a small meeting with the 
few Friends there, on sixth day. After meeting, we drove to 
Washington, in Pennsylvania, and lodged with William Min- 
nakin ; he and his family were kind, and the only Friends in 
the place. Seventh day, w r e journeyed to Pike Run, in Red 
Stone Quarter. First day, the 25th, we had a large, favored 
meeting there. Second day, we had a large, solid meeting at 
Westland. Third day, we drove to Muddy Creek settlement. 
Fourth day we were at the Ridge meeting, and went to South 
Fork, where, on fifth day, we had a large meeting at a Baptist 
meeting house. The doctrines of Truth, in the love of the 
Gospel, flowed freely, and a comfortable solemnity spread over 
the meeting ; but soon after I sat down, a noisy man rose, and 
undertook to explain what I had delivered, and ran into wild 
ranterism, exclaiming ag-ainst all o-overnment. He detained the 
meeting sometime, and got it all in a jostle. When he stopped, 
I saw it necessary to make some plain remarks on some of his 
movements and discourse, showing the people what was our 
belief, and our reasons therefor. This, gathered the people 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 265 

into a quiet again, much to their satisfaction ; which they ex- 
pressed after meeting ; and as I sat down, I informed the people 
that the service of the meeting was closed ; and so gave him no 
opportunity for the second harangue, for which the people were 
glad ; so I parted with them, glad to escape so well, and went 
to Redstone, where, on 6th day, we had a meeting. This was 
once a large meeting, but now much run down. After sitting 
in this meeting some length of time under a weight of exercise, 
I felt constrained to arise on my feet. But looking to the right 
hand and left, I saw several on the front seats who appeared to 
be fast asleep, and a number in the body of the meeting in the 
same situation. I concluded, it would be of no use to preach 
to them ; but feeling no release, I rose on my feet, and after 
speaking a few words, I spoke with a sharp tone of voice, 
" Friends, do wake up, for I think I am rightly authorized to 
deliver a discourse, and want you to hear me, so as to under- 
stand what I say, which you cannot if you are asleep, so as to 
have any correct judgment about it." By this time they were 
all awake. I then proceeded as matter and utterance was giv- 
en, and was led into a close, plain, searching discourse, and 
mercifully enabled to clear my mind, so as to feel well satisfied. 
Seventh day, had a meeting at Centre. First-day, 1st of 8th 
month, we attended Providence Meeting. Second day, at 
Sewickly Meeting, held the 3d hour in the afternoon. Fourth 
day, following, we attended Redstone Monthly Meeting, where 
there was room for much labor. May it prove useful to them, 
After this meeting, we crossed the river, to attend the Quarter? 
ly Meeting, to be held at Westland, on 6th .and 7th days of 
of the month and week ; and though the life of pure religion 
was low in those parts, and several meetings had almost run 
down, yet it pleased the holy Shepherd of Israel, in his tender 
mercies, to favor with His presence through the several sittings 
thereof. The business was conducted in harmony, the honest- 
hearted were encouraged to faithfulness, both in their private 
walk, and in the honest maintenance of the discipline ; the lat- 
ter being too much neglected. Wherever this is the case, 
17 



266 JOURNAL OF 

weakness and a falling away, are certain to ensue, and such 
meetings get into a lifeless, formal state of security — hard to be 
helped, or made to believe they need a helper — a dangerous, 
pitiful condition, much indeed, to be mourned over in this land. 
I had to travail, clad with the spirit of mourning, and to labor 
under the weight of its impression. 

First day, the 8th, was the closing, parting meeting. The 
power of the Gospel arose in dominion over all opposing spir- 
its ; its doctrines flowed freely, and the meeting closed under a 
heavenly solemnity. Honor, thanks, and everlasting praises, 
be ascribed to the Lord God, and the Lamb, saith my soul ! 

Not feeling clear of Eedstone, we had a meeting appointed 
at the fourth hour in the afternoon, at this place. The Lord 
enabled me to sound the alarm, in a solemn, searching manner, 
and was led to show how Satan had got among them, and what 
he had done, and that that the love of many had waxed cold. I 
felt my mind well relieved, and thankful to the Lord therefor. 
Second day, we had a meeting at Sandy Hill, and on third 
day we crossed Laurel Hill, and had a meeting there on fourth 
day. The next day, we again crossed Laurel Hill, to a neigh- 
borhood near Waynesburgh, where, (after traveling ten miles), 
we had a meeting with the Baptists and others. It was as full 
. a meeting as could be expected ; the people sat quiet, and ap- 
peared attentive, received the visit courteously, and made no 
objections, though plain truths were told them. After this 
meeting, we drove to Pike Eun, and on first day, the 15th, at- 
tended that meeting ; it was large, and a favored time. 

Second day, we had a public meeting at Fallowfield ; the 
house not being large enough to hold the people, it was held 
in the woods. It was a satisfactory meeting to me, and I now 
felt clear to return to Ohio. On third day, we arrived at 
"Washington, in Pennsylvania, and made our home with Wil- 
liam Minaken. I felt my mind arrested to have a meeting in 
this place, but a member of our Society from the city of Wash- 
ington, a little before, and who had a meeting there — had giv- 
en such general dissatisfaction, that the prospect of getting a 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 267 

meeting, looked gloomy. But not feeling easy without making 
a trial, we appointed one for the evening of the 19th, when 
quite a body of people came together ; yet many said they 
would not come to be black-guarded, but those who came, sat 
quiet. I sat sometime under deep exercise and fear — but not 
of man — until I felt the authority of Truth to put me forth, 
and in it I arose on my feet, and as utterance was given, the 
Gospel was preached without equivocation or flattery. It went 
forth in its own authority, and settled on the people, and they 
settled under it. I was told the people acknowledged to the 
truth of the doctrine. I felt my mind much relieved and made 
glad, and had thankfully to acknowledge, that strong is the 
arm of the Lord, and mighty is He, in the day of battle ! 

Sixth day, we drove to "Wheeling, in Virginia, and put up 
w T ith a Friend, who had been made considerable account of. 
We proposed having a meeting in the town, but he refused to 
give any aid or countenance to the prospect ; so on seventh 
day, we went to Concord, and attended that meeting on first 
day, the 2 2d, and staid thereabout until fourth day, and attend- 
ed the Monthly Meeting there. Here I fell in with a preacher 
from Long Island — head quarters — with a good certificate. He 
seemed glad to see me, but my feelings drew back from him, 
and I could not account for it. However, when the time came, 
we went to meeting. It was my lot to bear testimony first ; 
he soon followed, and at first seemed to unite with what had 
been said, but soon run across, and quoted the fall of Adam 
and Eve in the Garden, with what transpired — pretty correctly 
— and drew some rational inferences from them ; then wound up 
with asserting, " These things are all allegories." After meet- 
ing, I asked him, what house he was going to, and went to the 
same. As soon as I could get an opportunity, I remarked to 
him that I very much doubted any Quaker Minister ever hav- 
ing right authority to state, that those facts of truth which are 
stated in the Scriptures, were nothing but allegories. He 
made no reply, so I let it pass, in hopes a few words were suf- 
ficient. After dinner, we went to Plainfield, to attend that 



268 JOURNAL OF 

Monthly Meeting, which was held on fifth day. Here, it was 
my lot to bear testimony first, again ; and, as it turned, I was 
glad ; for he went on the same ground, spread broad sails, run 
across my testimony, and asserted that several accounts stated 
in Scripture as facts, were allegories ; and this, with a good 
deal of confidence. After meeting, I went to the same house 
that he did, and remarked to him, that I had no opinion of 
Quaker preachers telling the people that this, that, and the 
other part of the Scriptures, were nothing but allegories, and 
so turning it into a novel book ; for it set the young people to 
reasoning and disputing it, (the Bible), introduced divisions, 
and did much hurt ; religious speculation ran high in our land, 
and it was highly needful for Friends to keep to sound princi- 
ples. He turned and looked me full in the face, and said, "All 
the Ministers who come from England believe that the death 
and sufferings of Christ did something for us." I then saw 
that he was one of those who denied the Divinity of Jesus 
Christ, the propitiatory sacrifice, and the atonement; and be- 
lieved that he came into the world as all other men ; that he 
was a good man, and died a martyr to his principle. They also 
deny the being of satan, and they say and preach that there is 
no devil, only what originates in man. I looked him as full in 
the face, and replied, it is our ancient principle, that agreeable 
to the statement of John the Evangelist : In the beginning was 
the Word ; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 
And the worlds were made by Him. And without Him was 
nothing made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, 
and dwelt amongst men. So that we see Divinity took on it 
humanity, and Jesus Christ never resigned the glory He had 
with the Father, before the world was, and took on Him hu- 
manity for the sake of devils ; that is out of the question; Nei- 
ther did He come for the animal part of creation, for they are 
not possessed of immortal spirits ; so that His conception, birth, 
life, ministry, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension 
were all for man. These are our ancient principles, and they 
are mine ; and I can find no where to part or divide Him, 



JOSEPH IIOAG. * 269 

And, it is marvelous to me that any finite creature should sup- 
pose that the great fountain of eternal knowledge had not wis- 
dom, so to order the business and lay the plan, so as to answer 
the great purpose designed, for the past, present, and to come. 
At this, he turned from me without any reply, and seemed shy 
of me afterwards. I sought an opportunity to clear my mind 
to him, but he would not hear me. I then gave him up to run 
his own course. But it brought me into a sad strait, he being 
from head quarter, and I only a back-woodsman, and both from 
the same Yearly Meeting, and directly across each other in our 
testimonies. This, I saw would bring exercise on Friends, for 
I felt no liberty to deviate from my principles nor give up my 
testimony. So I concluded to let him alone, and let Friends 
decide between us. After this, my companion and myself 
went to St. Clairsville, where I had once been disappointed in 
obtaining much of a meeting, owing to the neglect of those 
Friends, who took it upon them to inform the people. I now 
went to another house, and employed others, who were faith- 
ful; we had a large, crowded meeting and a highly favored 
time, so that those who neglected me before, wanted me to go 
to their houses ; but I thought if I had got my credit up, it was 
best for me to go about my own business. After this meeting, 
we drove to Stillwater. Seventh day, we attended Stillwater 
Monthly Meeting, where I had good service, and felt sweet 
peace therein, as also the first day meeting, the 29th, at the 
same place. Second day, we attended Somerset Monthly 
Meeting. Third day, attended the Quarterly Meeting for Min- 
inters and Elders at Stillwater. Fourth day, the 1st of 9th 
month, we attended the Quarterly Meeting for worship and 
discipline. Here, I fell in with my Long Island friend again, 
and, as before, I bore testimony first. We both went our own 
way. While I was on my feet, my aged Friend, Hugh Judge, 
sat quietly ; but soon after the other Friend arose, he grew un- 
easy, and would look on him wishfully. Soon after he sat 
down, the meeting proceeded to business, took hold of it in a 
solid manner, and conducted it with dignity, and in harmony. 



270 JOURNAL OF 

Fifth day, we attended Plainfield meeting, and then bent our 
course for the Yearly Meeting, to be held at Mount Pleasant. 
It commenced on Seventh day, the 4th of 9th month. "When 
we arrived there, we found many Friends much stirred in mind, 
and they frequently came to me to know, if I believed in 
that man's doctrine — and told me that he had asserted in one 
of his sermons in that place, that Jesus Christ came into the 
world as all the rest of us did, sin only excepted. Did I be- 
lieve that ? I told them no, I did not, as I had answered 
several times. This inquiry came so frequent, I told some of 
them I had always been an open man with them, and had al- 
ways preached the principles I believe in ; I had gone over a 
great part of that Yearly Meeting, and I thought they had had 
opportunity to become acquainted with my public and private 
conversation enough to be satisfied. They acknowledged they 
had not discovered anything, and after that they let me alone on 
that head. But the Friend went on his own way, and gave great 
dissatisfaction. Friends let him know that his sentiments were 
unsavory, and that some of his communications were not accept- 
able. He neither replied, nor paid attention to it. At length, 
when the meeting had the query before it, on the subject of read- 
ing the Scriptures, this Friend arose and stated, that it was an 
unsuitable book for children, and young, inexperienced persons to 
read ; and he thought dangerous, as they could not understand 
it, and that none ought to read it, except when the Spirit of 
Truth was on them, to give them a right understanding of it. 
This cut me to the heart, hearing such a communication from 
a member of my own Yearly Meeting ; and knowing for myself 
that when I was quite a child, reading the Scriptures had intro- 
duced my mind into the most substantial ideas of the Great 
Supreme Being, and into the sublime views of His divine attri- 
butes. It caused my heart to bleed, and all within me to re- 
ject the communication. While I was musing, the subject was 
taken up by several, largely and fairly investigated, and the 
meeting closed, without a dissenting voice, in judgment of the 
unsoundness of his communication, and that it was false doc- 



josepii iioag. 271 

trine; this pretty much stilled him through the remaining part 
of the meeting. At the close, the meeting refused to give him 
any return of approbation to take home. A solid committee 
had an interview with him ; he gave them no satisfaction, but 
refused to give them any answer to what they said. I was 
told he was advised to go home. He paid no attention to it, 
but went into Redstone Quarter, visited nearly all its meetings, 
and continned to preach his spurious doctrine. These occur- 
rences embarrassed me more than anything else that ever hap- 
pened to me while away from home. It rendered me almost 
useless through the Yearly Meeting, though I had solid satis- 
faction, in seeing the meeting transact the weighty and inter- 
esting concerns that came before it, with solemnity, dignity, 
and harmony. It was truly strengthening to my drooping 
mind, to see that the Lord continued to be the wisdom of His 
people, and the crown of their assemblies. 

In the latter part of the Yearly Meeting, I felt my mind so 
solemnly arrested to return into Red Stone Quarter, that it 
tried my feelings exceedingly, having had a prospect of attend- 
ing Indiana Yearly Meeting ; but this lay so heavily on me, 
that I could see no way to enjoy peace than to stand resigned 
to it. 

The Yearly Meeting ended on sixth day the 10th of 9th 
month. We staid thereabout until second day, the 13th, and 
then went to Wheeling, in order to have a meeting. I had 
told Friends how I had fared when there before ; they inform- 
ed me that the Friend and his wife whom I called on, were 
both under dealing, which they supposed was the reason I met 
with such crusty treatment. We called on other Friends and 
found no difficulty in getting a full meeting, which was a favor- 
ed time. From this we went to the head of Wheeling, and 
had a meeting there on fourth day. After it, we drove to 
Washington, and put up at my old Friend Minaken's. Fifth 
day, drove to Westland, twenty miles, by meeting-time. Sixth 
day, drove to Muddy Creek, and on seventh day had a meeting 
there, and returned to Frederickton, sixteen miles, where we 



272 JOURNAL OF 

had a meeting in the evening, and after this we went to our 
esteemed Friend, George Smith's, to lodge ; he, I think, is a 
good pillar in the church. First day, the 19th, we went to 
Pike Run, and had a meeting at Bettysville at three in the af- 
ternoon. Second day, we went to Red Stone, and had an ap- 
pointed meeting. Third day, we attended their Monthly Meet- 
ing, and drove to Sewickly, fifteen miles. Fifth day, the 23d, 
we attended Providence Monthly Meeting, where I was led to 
sift and investigate doctrines — to me it was marvelous. Af- 
ter meeting I met with several of their first members, one of 
whom, in the presence of the others, told me that it was believ- 
ed by the solid part of Friends, that my coming among them 
at that time, was in the ordering of Providence ; as that Long 
Island preacher had gone through but a few days before, had 
given great uneasiness, and set many of their members to rea- 
soning, and questioning the correctness of our principles ; that 
they were alarmed, but had observed that in my movements, I 
had followed after the Long Island man, and as far as I had 
heard, wherever he had held up his erroneous sentiments, in 
the course of my communication, I had gone over the same 
subject, and had been enabled to lay it waste with such clear- 
ness, that they thought it was in Divine mercy to that land 
that I was sent back ; that several times I had taken the same 
text that he did, as I had that day, and from it refuted hi& 
preaching in such a manner, that it was not only marvelous in 
their eyes, but rejoicing to them ; and they hoped it would 
check the rage, if not put out the strange fire that was kindled? 
and strengthen and settle those who were inclined to adhere 
to the principles of Truth. These remarks very much relieved 
my mind, for to come back had seemed, I thought, more bitter 
than wormwood and gall. I had traveled with a heavy heart* 
often asking in my mind, why I was brought here, where I 
had labored so much, and why I was led in testimony in the 
manner I was ; but now, the Lord was pleased in this way to 
show me why. It was not only relieving but humbling to my 
soul, and I said in my heart, "0, surely the Lord knows best 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 273 

what is best, how, when and where to send His servants ; who 
also goeth before them in all His puttings forth, and safely 
leads them, causing them to behold His wonders in the deeps, 
'which is marvelous in their eyes !' " After this, I went on 
pretty cheerfully. 

Sixth day we had a meeting at Union school-house, and re- 
turned to West-land. Seventh day, we had a meeting at 
Wayne sburgh, and after meeting we drove fourteen miles to 
John Haines'. First day, the 26th, we rode to Centre, twelve 
miles, and attended that meeting, and appointed another for 
second day, where I had an opportunity to relieve and clear my 
mind. Third day, we drove to Saiidy Hill. Fourth day, we set 
forward to cross the Alleghany and Blue Eidges, for Lynchburgh 
in Virginia, and traveled industriously until the 2d of 10th month, 
when we got amongst Friends, and put up with Joseph Lapham. 
First day, the 3d, we attended their little meeting, which was 
almost run down by Friends moving away, the aged ones dying 
off, and the young ones leaving the Society — many of them 
by marrying into slaveholding families, which stride, generally 
proves fatal to principles and morals. Second day, we resum- 
ed our journey, and arrived at Lynchburgh on sixth day, the 
8th, and attended their Monthly Meeting, which I found much 
better than I expected from reports. Though they were but 
few, they appeared concerned to keep up their meetings re- 
putably, and to conduct their business regularly and in order. 
I felt authorized to encourage them to faithfulness, believing I 
felt the presence of the Lord to be with us, agreeably to His 
promise, that where two or three are gathered together in His 
name, He will be in the midst ; and where His presence is felt, 
there is life and strength. We staid their first day meeting, 
which was a favored time, and then parted with them affection- 
ately. I felt well rewarded for my visit. 

On second day, the 11th, we set forward for New Garden, in 
North Carolina. When we had traveled two days, one of our 
horses was taken sick and died. This detained us two days 
more, and not being able to procure another, we proceeded 



274 JOURNAL OF 

with one horse, traveled twenty miles a day, and in two days 
got among Friends at Hopewell on seventh day, where, in a 
short time, we attended the burial of an ao;ed Friend. This 
gave opportunity, and we embraced it, to give notice of our in- 
tention to be at that meeting next day, which was large and 
, much favored, there was great openness in the minds of the 
people to hear the truth, whether they were disposed to obey 
or not. Second day, the 18th, we had a meeting at New Gar 
den, and next day we lay by for Friends to provide us a horse, 
which they appeared to do cheerfully, showing much sympathy 
for us. 

Fourth day, we were at Concord meeting. Fifth day at Cen- 
tre. Sixth day, at Providence. First day at Back Creek 
meeting. Second day at Marlborough. Third day, at Salem. 
Fourth day, we had a meeting at Springfield, where I felt the 
Truth to arise in dominion over all opposition — the sturdy had 
to bow and acknowledge to it. Next day, we were at Deep 
River, thence to Providence again on seventh day, and had a 
meeting there; returned to New Garden, and attended that 
meeting on first day the 31st, whera, after delivering a testimo- 
ny, relieving to my mind, I took, I believe, my final farewell of 
North Carolina. In this little tour, my gracious Lord and good 
Master enabled me to relieve, and clear my mind of a burden, 
that had laid upon it for a number of years. I also cleared my 
mind to several individuals, some of whom had used me very 
ill when I was there before, without any just provocation. 

After getting clear of this land, on second day morning, the 
1st of 11th month, we took our departure for Tennessee, with 
joyful hearts, and thankful to the God of all our sure mercies, 
for His abundant help in this needful time. And I now have 
to acknowledge, that I fully believe, that he was mercifully 
pleased to be my director, and to furnish with matter, ability 
and understanding, how and where to labor, suitable to the oc- 
casion. Oh, let pure worship and thanksgiving be rendered to 
His holy goodness, and everlasting high praises to His eternal, 
worthy name, saith my soul ! 



Joseph iioag. 21 5 

We traveled two hundred miles on our way, without making 
any stop except what nature called for. Our new horse failing, 
it took us seven days with diligence, and great expense to get 
amongst Friends. We arrived at Mark Reeves', second day, 
8th of Uth month. My companion being unwell we remained 
thereabouts several days and had several meetings, one at a 
school house^near Mark^Reeves', at the boat yard; both of 
these were satisfactory. Had another at Lime Stone, a poor 
run down meeting ; several of its leading members having gone 
from Friends, and joined the Ranters, who call themselves 
Christians. First day, the 14th, we had a meeting at the same 
place, painful enough. There carhe a number of these dark, 
wild people to it. The Lord in bis wonted goodness, gave me 
a clear sight, and strengthened me to deliver His message to 
them in such authority that I met with no interruption from 
them. Good is the Lord and greatly to be loved and feared ! 
Second day, we went to New Hope. Third day had a meeting 
there, and attended their Preparative Meeting on fourth day. 
Fifth day, we had meeting at Westland. Sixth day the Quar- 
terly Meeting for Tennessee came on, held at that place. It 
was much larger than I expected, as many Friends had moved 
into the western country. It was evident that Truth owned 
the several sittings of the meeting. Their business was con- 
ducted with weight, order, and much harmony. I was com- 
forted in being with them, feeling the Gospel spring to arise 
with life and strength, and to flow freely ; settling upon the 
people as dew upon herbs. Truly it was a refreshing time to 
the drooping in spirit, through the continued tender mercies of 
our God. We attended their first day meeting on the 21st, 
also their Monthly Meeting on second day, wherein I felt much 
for them, and was enabled, in a feeling, tender manner, fully 
to relieve my mind, in my last legacy and farewell address to 
them — an humbling, tender time to me, not easy to be forgot- 
ten. 

Having procured a good horse, we set forward for Lost Creek ; 
reached there fifth day. Sixth day had a small meeting at 



21 6 JOURNAL OF 

Grassy Valley. Seventh day, being their Monthly Meeting at 
Lost Creek, we attended it, also their first day meeting, the 
28th. Both these meetings were favored with the owning 
presence of Israel's Shepherd. Second day, we set forward for 
Newbury, arriving there on third day. On fourth day, the 1st 
of 12th month, we attended their Preparative Meeting, and their 
Monthly Meeting coming on seventh day, we staid to it, and I 
was glad I did, finding the Lord was with His people every- 
where — however scattered abroad and small the remnants are — 
when gathered in His name, His presence is felt in the midst. 
"We staid to their first day meeting also, where I was enabled, 
through Holy help, so to relieve my mind, that I felt clear, and 
entirely easy to take my leave of friends in Tennessee. After 
meeting, we rode back to the Ferry, where we had a satisfac- 
tory meeting. Next day, we went to Knoxville, and had a 
meeting there at evening ; this was a dark, hard place. A suf- 
fering time we had, under a sense that oppression reigned, and 
the pure Gospel principles were trodden under foot, while they 
make great pretentions thereto. Through it all, my great and 
good Master, whose arm is strong, so strengthened and enabled 
me to bear a faithful testimony, to the great, good, and right- 
eous cause of justice, mercy, and truth, that I felt my mind well 
relieved ; and some of them acknowledged to the truth of the 
testimony. 

On third day, the fth of the month, we parted affectionately 
with the Friends who accompanied us here, and went forward 
for Blue River, Indiana. It being winter, and often rainy, the 
roads were muddy, and much of the way, the mire very deep, 
so that it took us eleven days, to get to Friends, a distance of 
two hundred and eighty-one miles. Nearly all of this solitary 
travel was in Kentucky, where, to hear of their cruel acts to 
the slaves, and see what we did, was shocking to all human 
and christian feelings ; and it made me think of the soul of 
just Lot, that was vexed from day to day, with the filthy con- 
versation, and the corrupt conduct of the people of Sodom. It 
was a heavy-hearted travel to me. We got among Friends 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 277 

at Blue River on seventh day, the 18th, and providentially fell 
in at James White's, where we were tenderly taken care of, and 
treated with parental affection, being almost worn out. May 
the Lord bless them for it ! 

First day, the 19th, we attended Blue River meeting, where 
I had to pass through some painful sensations, but had no 
opening in the Ministry. Not having recovered from our fa- 
tigue, we rested on second day, and on third day, we had a 
full, satisfactory meeting, at Salem Town. Fourth day, the 
2 2d, we had a meeting at Poplar Grove. Fifth day, were at 
Blue River again, where I was enabled, so to labor in the author- 
ity of Truth, as to get some relief. Sixth day, we went to 
Driftwood. Seventh day, we lay by for notice to be given. 
First day, the 26th, we attended that meeting, and drove to 
Sandy. Had a meeting there on second day, and returned to 
Driftwood. Third day, we returned to Matthew Coffin's, at 
Blue River settlement. Being unwell, we lay by until sixth 
day, the 31st, when we attended a meeting at Mount Pleasant, 
and returned to Matthew Coffin's, and attended Blue River 
Monthly Meeting, on seventh day, the 1st of 1st month, 1825. 
Here, the Lord, M His abundant mercy, gave strength, confi- 
dence, and utterance, to relieve my mind of a grievous burden 
that had lain on me, ever since I came into the vicinity of Blue 
River Quarter, on account of unsoundness in the faith, and that 
amongst the leaders of the people — which had spread much in 
that Quarter. I had to labor in much plainness with them, 
both in public and private. At this meeting we had the com- 
pany of Stephen Grellett. On first day, the 2d, we attended 
meeting at the same place, where I was enabled so fully to re- 
lieve my mind, and clear my skirts of them all, that I left that 
part of the country, receiving a plentiful harvest, and a full bo- 
som of well loaded sheaves. 

Second day, we went to Lick Creek, and had a meeting there 
the next day, where Satan had been at work, and had made 
sad division amongst the brethren, on account of the appoint- 
ment of an Elder. The meeting had proposed one, but there 



278 JOURNAL OF 

was another member who wanted the appointment, and thought 
himself much better qualified for the office, than the one named. 
He had got a party, and so resolutely opposed the appoint- 
ment, that it stopped in the Monthly Meeting. I commended 
the meeting for not bringing forward the one who wanted the 
place, for I never knew one of that disposition, who was put 
into that office, but who proved a self-confident, overbearing, 
burdensome member to the living in the Truth, and a very 
dead weight in a select capacity. Truly, there is great need 
in these days, for meetings to be careful whom they put into 
the office of Elder, and to ascertain clearly that they are sound 
in the faith, and well baptized for the office ; for such will feel 
the responsibility that devolves on them, and their accounta- 
bility to the Great Head of the Church. Such ones are not 
looking for promotion, or the praise of men ; but are favored 
to see the awful state of those who become drunk with self-con- 
fidence, and beat their fellow-servants and hand-maidens. They 
will not dare to lift up the hand in judgment, without a re- 
newed anointing from the Lord, and a clear command from the 
Most High, any more than a Minister who keeps his place will 
dare to-day to rise on his feet, to deliver a testimony, because 
he was favored yesterday. The want of this care in Elders, I 
have sorrowfully seen in the light of the Lord, has done much 
hurt in many places. 

On fourth day, we had a meeting at East Grove. Fifth day, 
at the Branch ; in both these meetings Holy help was afforded, 
sufficient for the day. After this last meeting, I felt? easy to 
leave them to the Lord, and truly glad of the release. Sixth 
day, we went to White Eiver, and had a meeting with a few 
Friends there, on seventh day, after which, we drove twelve 
miles, in a new part of the country, a very tedious road, and 
fatiguing to the poor horses. We got amongst Friends at In- 
dian Creek, seasonably to attend their little meeting on first 
day, the 9th. Second day, we rode twenty miles, made a short 
stop, and went to Ephraim Owen's, where we had a comforta- 
ble meeting on third day. Fourth day, we drove to Jonathan 



JOSEPH HOAG. 279 

O'Neil's. 'Fifth day, started for Palmyra, in tho State of Illi- 
nois, to find a sister of my wife. "We traveled thirty miles that 
day, and lodged in Washington, Indiana. Sixth day, we drove 
thirty miles. Seventh day, we crossed the Wabash at Ram- 
sey's Ferry, where we heard from my brother-in-law, who was 
gone from there. 

Here, I think it right to give some account of my brother- 
in-law. He was a man of middling capacity. He and his wife 
came amongst Friends by convincement. They acquired a 
handsome property by their labor and prudence. WTien the 
second war took place between England and America, he lived 
in a part of the country, where the authority was pretty severe 
with Friends ; they repeated their demands., and took away 
his property, which made him very impatient. He turned out, 
and went with the militia to save his property, and not being 
willing to condemn this conduct, Friends disowned him ; at 
which he todk such offense, and with the Government, that he 
was determined to leave the country. He sold to disadvantage, 
and fled to another part of the country, where he found it no 
better; so continued moving from place to place — until his 
property was gone. He and his family became very poor. 
Then he took to hard drinking, and had gone from the place, 
(where he and family had been some time), down the river four 
hundred miles, on to a slave holder's farm, and had taken the 
business of slave driver. As this came to my knowledge, so 
correct that I could not doubt it, it so bore me down that I 
had as much as I could do to support the man, in that quiet 
composure that became the dignity of a christian ; for I could 
not refrain from musing on the subject, for several hours ; and 
to reflect that a man once in the enjoyment of the Truth, and 
knew what right was, for the sake of saving a little property, 
and to shun bearing the cross for Truth and righteousness' sake, 
would give way to make shipwreck of faith tjiat he had once 
embraced, and a good conscience that he had once enjoyed, 
and had brought on himself and family, such woeful destruction, 
in every sense of the word. The thoughts of it awakened such 



280 JOURNAL OF 

feelings in my mind, that I do crave that this event may be a 
warning to my offspring to the latest generation, when they are 
brought to the trial, that interest or good principle must be 
sacrificed, let the interest go, and never wound a good con- 
science, for that which cannot stay by nor befriend in the need- 
ful time, when the blast of the Almighty is blown upon it. 
And be sure not to do wrong in acquiring it, that you may 
enjoy in peace what the Lord gives. And if you should leave a 
little after you, honestly gotten, it will be a blessing in the 
hands of your children. After wading as above described, un- 
der the pressure of this severe trial several hours, my great and 
good Master was pleased to give a hand of help in the needful 
time, and strengthened me to give it all up, so that I became 
calm, and then saw my way clear to pursue my religious con- 
cern. We turned up the river, on the Illinois side, twenty-five 
miles, to Lawrenceville. First day, the 16th, we 4rove to 
Thomas Lindley's, on Union Prairie, forty miles. Second day, 
we had a meeting with Friends and others of that place, which 
seemed to rejoice the few Friends thereabouts. Third day, we 
crossed the river to Indiana, and went to Tarman's Creek, and 
had a meeting there on fourth day. After meeting we drove 
to Henry's Creek, and had a comfortable meeting there on fifth 
day. 

At this place there seemed to be some life and concern 
among Friends, and we felt a comfortable hope, they would 
dwell therein. Sixth day, we drove to Spring Creek, and had 
a meeting there on seventh day. First day, the 23d, we crossed 
the river to Illinois side, and went to Vermillion, and on sec- 
ond day we had a meeting in this place — a comfortable time — 
then rode eight miles, and had a meeting in the evening to 
good satisfaction, and staid the night with Henry Canady. 
Third day, we journeyed for Leatherwood Creek, arriving there 
about dark. Here, we obtained a pretty full meeting the next 
day ; for, notwithstanding our late getting in, Friends seemed 
lively and spirited, in giving notice to each other, and their 
neighbors ; also, in coming to meeting, which much revived my 



Joseph no ag. 281 

drooping mind. We had met with so much indifference in 
many places about giving notice of our appointments, it made 
heavy getting along. The bountiful Shepherd of Israel, was 
pleased to bless this meeting with His holy presence, which 
was felt in the midst ; it was a solemn, good time to many 
minds. May it be remembered with thanksgiving to the Great 
Giver, by all who were there ! 

We then proceeded to Sugar Creek, arriving there on sixth 
day. Seventh day, we had a meeting with the few Friends of 
that place, who were much tired with a person, who had been 
disowned and had frequently come into their meetings, and 
took up much time in preaching, to the burdening of Friends ; 
and what made it more grievous, he preached what were not 
Friends' principles, and when spoken with, he justified himself, 
saying, that if he could not preach among them agreeable to 
his own conscience, he would not meet with them. After 
weighing the subject, I believed it right to tell Friends, that I 
thought it would be best for them to let him know they could 
not receive his testimony, and why ; for if you suffer him to 
continue on, and he preaches as you have stated, it will do 
more hurt in this new country, by your giving him countenance 
— where Friends and their principles are but little known — 
than all he can do, should he make a noise abroad ; for you 
can then inform the people w T hy you rejected him. Thus, you 
will be bearing a testimony for the Truth, in which you will 
be justified. 

First day, the 30th, we had a large, favored meeting in Craw- 
fordsville. Second day, we moved on for White Lick, and ar- 
rived there third day evening, and fourth day we attended that 
meeting. Fifth day, w r e had a meeting at Fairfield. Sixth 
day, we went to Indianapolis, and lay by on seventh day. I 
felt my mind seriously drawn to have a meeting in this village, 
and the people thought that as it was Court time, if I could 
stay with them over first day, it would be their desire generally 
to be at the meeting. I felt easy to comply therewith, and on 
first day, the 6th of 2d month, we had a large, crowded meet- 
18 



282 JOURNAL OF 

ing in the County House. Divine Power was felt to arise in 
dominion in an eminent degree. The word went forth in Gos~ 
pel authority ; the meeting became solemn, and ended, I think 
Under a sweet and heavenly cairn. Blessed he the Name of the 
Lord, for when He leadeth into the deeps, His arm is under- 
neath and upholdeth ; when He raiseth on high, it still sustain- 
ed and carrieth through in safety, to the promotion of His 
own righteous cause, and the glory of His holy Xame, to whom 
all honor, worship, and high praises are due, forevermore ! 

Second day, we set forward for little Blue River, and reached 
there on third day. Fourth day, we had a small meeting with 
a few Friends, and some of their neighbors at Duck Creek. 
Fifth day, we had another small meeting with Friends and oth- 
ers, at Flat Bock. Sixth day, had another at Simon's Greek 
and though the prospect was not very promising thereabout 
we were well satisfied in being with our Friends ; having re- 
newed cause to believe that the Lord is mindful of His people 
everywhere, and rich in kindness to impart such meat and help 
as they stand in need of, Blessed be His holy name ! 

We drove to Milford, and lay by on seventh day, and on first 
day, the 13th, we attended that meeting ; then drove to West 
Union, and on second day, had a meeting in that place. On 
third day, we were at meeting at West Grove. 1 6th, at Fair- 
field. 17th, at Springfield. 18th, at West Paver. 19th, at 
Dunkirk. 20th, first day, at White River. 21st, at Jericho. 
22d, at Norwich. 23d, at Arba. 24th, at Lynn. 25th, at 
Cherry Grove. 26th, at Centre. First day, 27th, at New Gar- 
den, 28th, at Dover. We also visited Chester, Woodburv, 
and Smyrna, before the Quarterly Meeting, at Richmond came 
on. It may appear strange that after visiting such a chain of 
meetings, there was no particular observation made ; but they 
being divided into two parties, in one quarter and part of anoth- 
er, and great disunity having spread amongst them, it occa- 
sioned much repetition in my public labors, which caused me 
many hours of deep searching of heart, so that I called all in 
question ; but, relying on the arm of the Lord, I was strength- 



JosErn iioag. 283 

ened and enabled from time to time, in a plain, solemn, search- 
ing manner to labor so as to feel my mind relieved, and clear 
of all their blood. In passing through this part of the country, 
Friends let me entirely alone, until I had finished my visit with 
them, which was perfectly right. They then told me how it 
was with them, which was an additional relief to my mind, in 
finding I had not been deceived in my feelings, nor misled in 
my labors, and I can gratefully acknowledge that hitherto the 
Lord hath helped me. Forever adored be His goodness, and 
eternally blessed be His holy name ! 

We attended the several sittings of the Quarterly Meeting, in 
which my lot was deep, painful exercise, finding the love of 
many had waxed cold, towards each other. Great want of true 
and living zeal, for the righteous cause of truth, and great cause 
of humiliation and mourning, to the rightly concerned among 
them, to whom a portion of cordial encouragement was impart- 
ed, as also plain truths to the other class. T felt well relieved 
at the close of the meeting on first day. Third day, the 8th 
of 3d month, was at the Ridge meeting ; thence at Silver Creek, 
Poplar Ridge, Salem, and at Newhope, on first day, the 13th. 
After which, being much fatigued, and having a heavy cold in 
my head, Hay by on second day, at the house of Joseph Maxwell, 
where I was kindly nursed. Third day, we moved on to West- 
field, attended that meeting on fourth day, and went to Elk, 
and fifth day attended that meeting. The Quarterly Meeting 
coming on at this place, we met with Friends in the several sit- 
tings of it. 

At this Quarter and in its vicinity, my mind was solemnly 
impressed with a sense that false principles and spurious preach- 
ing were creeping in amongst Friends, and I had to give the 
alarm amongst them, and felt great peace in being faithful to 
my holy Lord and good Master. From this place we went to 
Rocky Spring, and had a meeting there on third day. Fourth 
day, went to Union, and met with Friends of that place on fifth 
day. Thence to Concord, when we met with a small number 
of Friends to good satisfaction. Then took Mill Creek before 



284 JOURNAL OF 

their Monthly Meeting came on, at which we were on seventh 
day, and staid their first day meeting, the 27th, which proved 
a relieving time to my mind. Thence to Randolph, and had a 
meetiDg there on second day. Third day, went to Sugar 
Creek, and had a meeting there on fourth day ; then drove to 
Springborongh, and had a meeting with Friends of that place, 
the 1st of 4th month, and drove to Henry Paddock's, at Read- 
ing. Seventh day, we went to Cincinnati, and on first day, the 
3d, we attended that meeting, in which my mind was led into 
a deep concern, under a sense of the great want of faithfulness 
in many high professors, in not walking answerable to what 
they professed, and knew was right. Such are stumbling blocks 
to the honest seeker, a reproach to the Truth, and a sore grief 
to the upright hearted. Yet, through the tender mercy of Is- 
rael's unslumbering Shepherd, strength and utterance were giv- 
en to relieve my mind to good satisfaction. After meeting, we 
returned to Benjamin Paddock's. "We had a pretty full meet- 
ing in Reading village, on second day. Here, the Truth had 
the dominion ; its doctrines went forth in Gospel authority, 
greatly to the relief of my much tribulated mind, and I hope 
to the honor of the great Head of the Church, who is truly 
worthy forever more, of the praise of all His works throughout 
His vast umpire ! 

After meeting, we rode to Benjamin Butterworth's, and had 
a meeting in that neighborhood, on third day. Then passed 
on to Hopewell, where, on fourth day, we had a meeting ; then 
to Turtle Creek, and met with the people of that place on fifth 
day, and went forward to Waynesville, where we had a meeting 
on seventh day. On first day, we attended Dayton meeting. 
In these parts, it was as in many other places, such a likeness 
in the states of meetings, it seemed too much repetition to de- 
scend into particulars. Yet, we had this comfort, from impres- 
sions felt, that there were well concerned minds in nearly every 
meeting, to whom the Lord had special regard, and for whose 
sakes He continues His favors to the Church ; and in answer 
to their prayers, often renews His visitations to those who are 



JOSEPH HOAG. 285 

settled down at ease in a profession of the Truth, as on their 
beds of ivory, in the outward form, which will do no more for 
them, than ceremonies do for other Societies. It finds them 
under the dominion of sin, and leaves them under condemna- 
tion in the end ; for there is nothing of man's wisdom, doings, 
or contrivance, that can ensure peace in the end ; nothing short 
of a full belief in the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, 
our Lord and Advocate with the Father, and a full and faithful 
obedience to all its manifestatians, that can set us free from the 
law of sin and death, and enable us to rise superior to all the 
enchantments of a glittering world, the lusts of the flesh, and 
the temptations of the devil, and enable us to experience a go- 
ing on, conquering and to conquer principalities and powers, 
and casting; down all vain imaginations of the human heart. 

The same day, we had a large, favored meeting at Dayton 
village, in the meeting house belonging to the Methodists, who 
seemed very free to accommodate us. We parted with them 
in much good will. May the righteous Lord bless that favored 
season to the people ! Third day, the 12th, we had a meeting 
with Friends and others at Plumb Grove. We then went to 
Greenplain, and made our home with Samuel Sleeper, an old 
acquaintance. Fourth day, attended that meeting. Notice 
having been given, the meeting w^as large, and owned by the 
presence of Divine power, which was sensibly felt, to the ten- 
dering of many minds, and I hope the contriting of some. Oh ! 
how much we have to humble our minds, under a sense of the 
continuation of Divine favor, far beyond our worthiness ! 

Fifth day, we drove to King's Creek, and on sixth day had a 
meeting with the inhabitants of that place. Then went to 
Goshen, and were at that Monthly Meeting on seventh day. 
First day, the 17th, we were at the same place, which gave op- 
portunity for me fully to relieve my mind, where there truly 
was need of well authorized labor. From here, we went to 
Upland, where we had a small meeting on second day. Third 
day, we were w T ith Friends and others at a meeting at West- 
land. Fourth day, had a meeting at Darby. Fifth day, re- 



286 JOURNAL OP 

turned to Samuel Sleeper's, at Greenplain. Sixth day, had a 
meeting at James Orin's, who lived in a little village, a little out 
from Friends, which appeared to be a satisfactory opportunity, 
both to Friends and others. Afterwards, we drove to Seneca, 
where we had a meeting on seventh day ; then went to New 
Hope, and met with Friends on first day, the 24th. Then 
passed on to Grassy Run, where we had a meeting on second 
day. We then drove to Dover and had a meeting there on 
fourth day, and proceeded on to Clear Creek, Fall Creek, Fair- 
field, and Walnut Creek, where we lodged with Jacob Todhun- 
ter. Thence, to Dry Run and Fairfield. We generally had 
full meetings in the above named place. The Gospel spring 
ran lively and free, and I told my Friends that it seemed to me 
a clearing out, solemn, parting time, and it appeared to be so 
with many of them. 

We lay by on fifth day, I being sick. On the 6th of 5th 
month, we attended the Select Quarterly Meeting, at Fairfield, 
and next day, the meeting for worship and discipline, and also 
the first day meeting on the 8th, and after it drove to East 
Fork. On second day, had a meeting there, then took Green- 
bury, Newbury, and Wilmington, having meetings in each of 
these places, much to the relief of my mind. Thence, to Mi- 
ami Quarterly Meeting, held on sixth and seventh days, which 
was large, and much favored in its several sittings. Truth 
arose in dominion over all opposition, and reigned to the praise 
of the holy Shepherd of Israel. First day, the 15th, we attend- 
ed meeting at the same place, to good satisfaction. Then went 
to Grove, Springfield, Little Creek, Chester, Cyrus Creek, and 
Richland. We had meetings in all the above named places, 
and then went to Greenplain, and had a meeting at a place 
called Charleston, at four in the afternoon. Third day, we 
drove to Springfield, where we fell in with Elizabeth Robson, a 
Minister from England, who had appointed a meeting in that 
place. We attended with her, and were truly edified with her 
lively Gospel testimony. I was brought into near sympathy, 
and sweet unity with her. After meeting, we parted with our 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 28? 

friends, and put forward for Urbanna, where, on fourth day, we 
had a meeting in that village to good satisfaction. From this, 
we journeyed till we got to Columbia, and on sixth day, we 
had a meeting there. The people appeared well satisfied, and 
I felt my mind well relieved. Seventh day, we drove to Dela- 
ware, and lodged with Joseph Howard. First day, the 30th, 

we drove to H or ton Howard's in C , Weston, and on 

second day, we had a meeting with the Friends of that place. 
Then proceeded to Alum Creek, and put up with Aaron Bene- 
dict. Fourth day, the 1st of 6th month, we had a large meet- 
ing there, much favored, and truly relieving to my pained mind. 
Fifth day, we attended their Monthly Meeting, and then con- 
tinued our journey till we got to Lewis Taber's, where we 
stopped and had a meeting. Thence to Joseph Washbourne's, 
where was a small settlement of Friends, and had a meeting 
with them. There appeared a want of a lively, fervent zeal 
amongst them, and the spirit of the world creeping in ; so that 
the prospect of Truth's flourishing in that place is rather dull. 
Thence, to Benjamin White 9 s, and had a meeting, and proceed- 
ed to Owl Creek, and attended that little meeting on first day, 
the 12th. From this place, we went to Zanesville, and had a 
meeting in the town on fourth day. On seventh day, we went 
to Meig's Creek settlement, and met with Friends at Blue 
Eock meeting, on first day, the 19th. 

We then turned our course homewards, and took the follow- 
ing meetings. First day, attended Plainfield Monthly Meeting f 
and Flushing Monthly Meeting on seventh day. First day, the 
26th, we attended Short Creek meeting. Here I was enabled 
to clear my mind of a burden I had long carried ; for when I 
was at the Yearly Meeting and thereabouts, I was much embar- 
rassed with the unsound preaching of a Minister from my own 
Yearly Meeting, (which preaching caused a considerable stir 
amongst Friends), so that I passed from those parts, not get- 
ting the relief I wanted. But now, on my return this way, 
finding my way clear, and that my Master had renewed his 
bow in my hand, with additional strength, I stopped and vkitr 



288 JOURNAL OF 

ed several meetings hereabouts, viz: Mount Pleasant in the 
afternoon, on first day. Second day, at Harrisville. Fourth 
day, Carrolton. Fifth day, we returned to West Grove, and 
had a meeting there the 1st of the 7th month. Then went to 
Smithfield, attended that meeting on first day, the 3d. In all 
th^se meetings, the Gospel current flowed free and clear ; I felt 
my mind fully relieved, and filled with heavenly peace, and 
enabled to return thanks and praise to the Lord, my Eedeemer, 
who had led me about, sustained and carried me through the 
heights and depths, when no other arm could have supported 
me. Blessed, forever, be His holy name ! 

From this place we put forward for New Lisbon. On fourth 
day, we attended that meeting, and went to New Garden. Fifth 
day, we attended that meeting. Sixth day, had a meeting at 
the Grove. My labors in these last three meetings were plain 
and laborious, there being much want of Gospel love amongst 
the professed brethren, and false principles creeping into many 
families. Yet, my good Master, through it all, gave strength 
and utterance so to labor as to feel well relieved, and clear of 
all their blood, whether they hear or forbear. First day, the 
10th, we attended Salem meeting, which was large and a re- 
freshing time to me. Second day, we set forward for Conneaut. 
Third day, we reached the settlement. Fourth day, had a 
meeting with the few Friends there. Fifth day, 14th, we set 
forward for home, where we arrived on seventh day, the 30th 
of the month, having attended two meetings on the way. In 
this journey we traveled seven thousand six hundred miles, in a 
few days short of twenty months. I found my family well, to 
my great comfort. 

Here ends the account of my religious travels, to the sixty- 
fourth year of my age, which I want should be kept by my chil- 
dren, for their warning, instruction, and encouragement ; anc| 
piay the Lord l^|ss its contents to them, for good, 



CHAPTER X. 

The first time I attended our Yearly Meeting, after ray re- 
turn from my western journey, (from which I had been absent 
for several years, owing to my being in other parts of the coun- 
try on religious service), I found 'the minds of Friends like the 
troubled waters, as two of our Quarterly Meetings brought up 
proposals in strong terms, to make an alteration in the disci- 
pline in the appointment of Elders ; to drop the practice €rf ap- 
pointing them as always had been the practice ever since 
Friends had be^en a people, and to appoint them only for four 
years. This aroused Friends, and led to the enquiry as to what 
was the cause of this. It was soon discovered to be Elias 
Hick's followers, pretty generally, who had already made a 
heavy attack on several of our sound, faithful Ministers and El- 
ders, in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. They had disowned 
several for opposing Elias Hick's false doctrine, and infidel 
principles, but they were all restored by appeal. This aroused 
the Hicksites in that Yearly Meeting, and the same plan was 
urged in our own Yearly Meeting. Several of the first mem- 
bers of the Yearly Meeting, living on Long Island, were under 
dealing, and the charge of a committee, for opposing Elias 
Hick's false and pernicious doctrines, which conduct much 
aroused the sound part of Society. Yet, the Hicksites crowded 
their plan so hard, that they got a large committee appointed 
to consider the subject. When the committee sat on the sub- 
ject, there was so much weight in favor of the sound part of 
Society, that the Hicksites could not make headway ; so the 
committee concluded to report, that they could not agree to 
propose any alteration in the discipline on the subject. This 



290 JOURNAL OP 

made a stir in the meeting for sometime, and the Hicksites 
crowded hard to keep the subject in the meeting. 

At length, to get rid of it for that time, it was submitted to, 
and put over until the next year. This move so fully spread 
the subject in every part of the Yearly Meeting, that when the 
year came about, Friends seemed settled, and prepared to meet 
it ; but when it came before the meeting, the Hicksites would 
not give up without the appointment of a committee. When 
the committee came to go on to the ground, the Hick's party 
found themselves weaker than they were the year before, and 
were induced to comply with a similar report. When it was 
read in the meeting, the Hicksite party showed a good 
deal of agitation ; but Friends kept much in the calm, keeping 
close and steady to the point. This seemed to increase the 
heat with E. Hick's party, when they saw they were not going 
to carry the business as they intended ; so much so, that the 
Friends who favored the committee's report, were censured, 
and reflected on, and frequently with abusive language. Friends 
kept steady, and deliberate, but at length the heat ran so high, 
that when a Friend sat down after speaking, though he spoke 
ever so calmly, by the time he was on his seat, and sometimes 
before, several of Elias' followers would be up at a time, all 
speaking at once. This, I think, continued an hour — though 
Fiiends several times called for order, but had little or no at- 
tention paid to them. At length, Elias Hicks called for order, 
and his followers quieted, so that the meeting became tolerably 
still. Elias then stated, " We cannot give the matter up with- 
out seeing if the meeting could not decide it," and then stated 
the majority was the weight of the meeting, and that every 
member in the house had an equal right to his sentiment, call- 
ing pressingly for all to come forward and give their sentiment, 
and the young men in particular, asserting they had as good 
right to give their sentiment as any. When he sat down, they 
went on rapidly uniting with the proposed alteration ; some^ 
times several up at once, and several were seen to rise and 
unite twice, and others three times. After awhile they came to 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 291 

a stop, when Elias arose quickly and proclaimed, " All of three 
fourths majority ; we have got the judgment of the meeting." 
A Friend arose quickly and observed, " The other side has not 
had the opportunity of giving their sentiment ; and the subject 
will not be given up, until they have a chance to speak their 
minds ; " and then advised to proceed orderly. They did so, 
and in the course of half an hour, Elias Hicks had the oppor- 
tunity of seeing a large majority, come forward in favor of the 
old institution ; yet he was so far from acting up to his own de- 
clared sentiments in favor of majorities, when he saw how it 
turned, he quickly arose, and declared that the meeting was so 
divided that it could not decide upon it, but must be again re- 
ferred another year, and not allowed to be taken from the min- 
utes. This was submitted to, but through the remainder of the 
meeting, business dragged heavily. 

Much enquiry continued to be made out of meeting, as to 
the cause of all this, and much agitation prevailed amongst 
Friends of all classes ; many believing there was something the 
matter, but that it was kept out of sight ; which, at that time, 
was the case— as E. Hicks' principles were not then generally 
known, though they had been preached up in a blind way for 
many years, to the great exercise of discerning Friends. Much 
tender advice had been bestowed upon him from time to time, 
to save him from running out, not only to nothing, but much 
worse than nothing, but all to no good purpose. All this time, 
he was in the plausible appearance of great love and concern 
for the cause of Truth, and the welfare of the Church ; and in 
this way, he was diffusing — in private — his deistical sentiments ; 
and by letters, he spread his principles far and wide, before 
Friends were generally aware of it. 

About nine years before the division took place in our So- 
ciety, in consequence of the doctrines promulgated by Elias 
Hicks, he came into our country with credentials to perform a 
religious visit.* I was in Ferrisburg on temporal concerns, and 

*Note. — It appears from a record that has been kept, that Elias Hicks 
was here in the 2d month, 1819. 



292 JOURNAL OF 

was told while there, that Eli as Hicks was in the neigh- 
borhood, and would have an appointed meeting there that day, 
and that it would be largely attended, for everybody that could 
would come. 

I had no thought of attending it myself, but intended to re- 
turn home as soon as I had finished my business. "When that 
was accomplished, it pressed upon my mind with such weight, 
that I believed it right to stay and attend the meeting, which 
I did. It was a great gathering of people. Elias rose very 
early in the meeting, and stated that, "In the beginning God 
created the heavens and the earth, as we read in Scripture. 
He also made man in his own likeness, as we read in Scripture ; 
and prepared a garden in Eden, in which He placed the man 
and his wife ; and also the tree of life, and the tree of the 
knowledge of good and evil, in the midst of the garden, as we 
read in Scripture." He made a full stop, then took up the 
tree of knowledge of good and evil — a distinct subject — and 
occupied a full half hour, to make it appear that there was no 
other evil in space ; and three times asserted positively, that it 
was not possible to be otherwise ; yet he brought no proof 
only his own statement. By the way, to polish his discourse, 
he recommended a good deal of moral conduct. He then took 
up the tree of life, and treated upon it separately, for about an- 
other half hour, and three times stated without reserve, that 
the tree of life was God Almighty himself, and it could not 
possibly be otherwise ; but offered no proof except his own as- 
sertion ; and as before, dressed it with the beauty and happi- 
ness of good moral conduct; and had much to say on the right 
and liberty of choice. 

He made a full stop, stood a little while, and then stated, 
"We have a right to choose good or evil, just as we please ; 
and take that right from me, and I would not value my being- 
worth having !" For about half an hour, he appeared to labor 
with much earnestness to substantiate his statements, and then 
stopped, and soon closed the meeting. 

I walked into the yard with a heavy heart, and a grieved 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 293 

mind, intending to get my horse and go immediately home, 
without speaking to any one ; but hearing some one following 
me, with a quick step, I halted a little, and a voice said, "Stop, 
I want to get thee by the hand." I turned round, and one of 
our head elders said, "Joseph, dost thou know that it is contra- 
ry to discipline, to show restlessness during the preaching of a 
minister, while in unity with the body ?" I said, "Yes, and I 
have good unity with that discipline." "Well, thou showed 
it to-day three times*" I said, "Did I ?" He said, "Yes, and 
the young people noticed it." "Didst thou see it ?" "I did." 
I replied, "Then I will not dispute it." He said, "Thou hadst 
not unity with him to-day." I replied, "I had not." He said, 
"What is the matter V I answered, "He preached false doc- 
trine, and I can prove it, if you allow the Scriptures for a test, 
and thou may take me before any tribunal thou choosest." 
We then parted. 

I returned home, and told my wife the discourse, and my 
feelings, and that I would follow him through the Quarterly 
Meeting, and attend every meeting which he did, in order to 
have an opportunity of conversing with. him. 

I perceived that the Elder intended to have a company ; but 
I thought it best to take him alone, according to Gospel order, 
and then was willing to meet him before whomsoever he pleas- 
ed, but could not get an opportunity. The next day, he was 
at the meeting to which I belong, where he gave us a similar 
discourse, but not so bare-faced. After meeting, I asked him 
to go to my house ; he answered, "No, I am going to another 
Friend's house." 

I went home, took dinner, and went to that house immedi- 
ately. When I arrived, he was rising from dinner. I beckon- 
ed to him, and went into another room ; he followed, and I 
shut the door. I soon said to him, "I wish to have some talk 
with thee, with the privilege of speaking freely, openly, and 
plainly ; without thy taking offense, and thou shalt have the 
same liberty with me ; for we are both men who know how to 
treat each other properly, and he that refuses this treatment, 



294 JOURNAL OF 

shall forfeit his right of having any further attention paid to 
him." To this he cheerfully agreed, and gave me his hand* 
I then informed him, that I was dissatisfied with his preaching; 
to which he replied, "Well, wherein I*' I then proceeded to 
repeat his text, word for word, and said, "This gave the people 
to believe thou wast going to treat upon the text agreeably to 
the tenor of it. Thou acknowledged that God planted the tree 
in the midst of the garden, as the Scripture said ; and then for 
full half an hour labored to make us believe that that was the 
only evil in space, instead of explaining it according to Scrip- 
ture ; and three times thou asserted it was not possible to be 
otherwise. I cannot take up with thy bare assertion ; I must 
have better proof than that ; for thy idea makes the Almighty 
the author of all evil ; for he planted the tree." He said, 
"What other evil is there then?" I replied, "The Bible tells 
of a serpent." "What !" said he, "a snake ?" I replied, "No, 
I think thou knowest better than that ; no, an evil spirit, inim- 
ical to all good ; and if thou dost not know of such a devil out 
of thee, thou art not fit to preach. Thou and I have been such fel- 
lows when young, and we would try what we could do ; and wdren 
we have been in our high career in company, something has met 
us, so clear in its manifestations, so powerful in its convictions, 
and so convincing in its evidences, that we have had to acknowl- 
edge that we had done wrong, in thus going into loose compa- 
ny ; and thou hast felt it so severe, thou hast concluded to refrain 
from such courses ; and as thou didst so, thou hast felt quiet and 
peace, and as thou continued in well doing, thy peace has increased. 
All this thou knowest, yet by unwatchfulness, there has something 
from somewhere, (for it was not in thee, when that which 
brought peace was, for they cannot both abide in the same 
person at the same time, we both know,) that suggested to thy 
mind, that the serious thoughts were all a notion ; that thou 
didst not make thyself, but was created by the Almighty ; and 
that He gave thee thy dispositions, and created objects of de- 
light, and placed them before thee, that thou mightest enjoy 
them ; but when thou hast listened, and put forth thy hand, - 



JOSEPH I10AG. 295 

and embraced the temptation, thou hast always felt thy peace 
stung to death, and thy conscience sorely smitten. I want thee 
to tell me what these two are that will not agree ; the one urg- 
ing to right, promising peace, and always performing, when we 
obey ; the other enticing to do wrong, and promising increase 
of happiness, but always disappointing us. If that tree is the 
only evil in space, what is that which thus follows us, which we 
both know ?" 

He said. " I do not mean to discard the idea that there is 
an evil spirit which tempts us." I said, " What then dost thou 
mean to deny ? Thou certainly denied it in thy preaching." 
He said, " I mean to deny that t,here is a great mawking devil, 
with one ox foot and one man foot and fire eyes, which ap- 
pears to the people to scare them." I said, "I am disappointed 
in Elias Hicks. I always thought him to be a man of talents. 
I did not expect to hear such words come out of his mouth. I 
have no belief that there is a child in our country, twelve years 
old, who has learning enough to read, that believes such an 
idea. Matter does not inhabit the world of Spirits/' He re- 
marked 5 that " many of our Quaker Ministers believed it." I 
requested him to stop, and remarked, that " the Bible tells us 
that our Savior cast seven devils out of Mary Magdalene," add- 
ing, " thou may see how short thy ideas are." 

I then took up the tree of life, and his statement of God's 
planting it in the midst of the garden, according to Scripture ; 
and his statement of its being God Almighty Himself, and 
could not possibly be otherwise — and requested him to recon- 
cile these two statements, and make good, sound doctrine, or 
even good sense, which he declined attempting to do, though I 
pressed him closely. 

I then endeavared to show him, how confusedly he handled 
the Scriptures, in treating the fall of our first parents, and en- 
deavoring to make it appear that there was no other evil in 
space, but the tree of knowledge ; as it plainly appeared that 
there were three criminals, and three punishments stated as 
facts that took place, and wished him to reconcile this with his 



296 JOURNAL OF 

discourse — in which he had crossed himself-— and I let him 
know that these were points I must have cleared up. He made 
no reply, though I urged him. 

I then dropped that point, and took up his assertion of our 
right of doing as we pleased, and put sundry questions ; wheth- 
er light and darkness could be blended together, and be one 
thing ? He answered, " it is not possible." I proposed to him, 
that " good and evil, right and wrong, we knew, were in the 
world, and that they were opposite, we knew. Is there any 
such thing, as bringing these together, and making but one 
thing of them ? " He answered, " it is not possible." I re- 
plied, " each must have its spring of action, and place of ex- 
istence ; now I want thee to show whether all good must not 
emanate from the fountain of good, and evil from the fountain 
of evil ; and as thou hast acknowledged that right and wrong, 
good and evil cannot be brought together, show where thou 
gettest thy right to choose evil, for thou didst not make thy- 
self, and thy rights are limited. Where didst thou obtain lib- 
erty to do right if thou pleased, and wrong if thou pleased, 
which thou prizest so highly, that thou wouldst not value thy 
existence worth having without it ? Here, Elias, I wish thee to 
clear this up with Scripture proof, and sound reason." 

He sat awhile, and replied ; " we are free agents." My an- 
swer was, " free agency I don't deny ; moral agency I don't 
deny ; but we were created agents, we were not our own crea- 
tors. Free agency belongs to the Almighty ; He is His own 
agent, His own being, His own vast dwelling place ; we receive 
all our power, which is agency, from Him ; we are limited crea- 
tures. Now show me wherein we are not accountable for those 
powers and faculties which are given us, and if accountable, 
where is the unlimited freedom ? I deny that Adam was 
brought into existence, a free agent; for he was God's repre- 
sentative — His image — and placed lord of these lower regions, 
free from guilt and shame. His free agency given him, there- 
fore, stood in freedom of fellowship and communion with his 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 297 

God. * I can sec claim tp free agency in no other point of 
view." 

" But where was he after the fall ? A great alteration took 
place ; for he was put under punishment all the rest of his life. 
Was he free while under bonds, and these never to cease but 
with life ; and the same with his wife, for the same length of 
time ? Were they then, or ever after, free agents ? But there 
was an agency renewed to them ; they were to have dominion 
over the earth, to multiply and replenish it, and to till the 
ground ; this I call moral agency. But that which they lost 
and never regained, they never could bestow upon their off- 
spring, and this shows the reason why the human family needed 
a Mediator." 

He sat some time, entirely silent, and then said, " Free 
agency I will not give up." But he offered no defence in favor 
of it. 

I replied, " when a man will not give up a point which he 
don't attempt to defend, I think it is because he has not where- 
with to support his argument ; therefore, I shall urge it no 
longer." 

I then said, " I have traveled after thee in New Eno-land a 
number of weeks ; in Maryland and Pennsylvania, I was two 
weeks behind thee, for more than two hundred miles ; in all 
which places I heard many remarks upon thy preaching, and 
some upon thy private conversation. I was frequently interro- 
gated, whether I was acquainted with Elias Hicks, and had 
unity with his doctrines. I had one way of escape, and was 
glad of it. " I have not heard Elias Hicks preach within five 
years. They would then state what he preached, and wished 
to know my sentiments. I let them know they were not my 
sentiments nor doctrines. 

" I queried with them, whether they had been honest and 
let him know their dissatisfaction. Some said they sought 
such opportunities, but could not obtain them ; others, that he 
appeared so great that they were afraid. I replied, * I should 
have talked with him ; and if ever I see him, I intend to tell 
19 



298 JOURNAL OF 

him how you talk about him.' They said, ' thou mayest tell 
him the whole, for he will never make Quakers by his preach- 
ing, but he will make infidels.' 

" I agree with them ; and I have no more unity with thy 
preaching and sentiments, than I have with a Presbyterian 
Priest, who preaches unconditional election. 

" But as we have discoursed calmly, and are now going to 
part, I cannot in conscience give thee may hand in fellowship ; 
but if thou wilt receive it as a token of civility, and let me re- 
serve the fellowship, I will give it upon that principle." And 
I reached forth my hand. He took it, and we parted. 

He staid hereaway some time ; held meetings, and made 
social visits, until he had enlisted every Elder in our Monthly 
Meeting, and several influential members ; and went off and 
left me in as hot a furnace, as he could prepare for me. 

When the Hicksites thought they had become strong enough, 
they made strong efforts in many places, to displace all the sound 
Clerks, and place others in their stead, in order to hold the 
books and records. They made a resolute attempt to displace 
the clerks of our Yearly Meeting, who had served several years, 
to the satisfaction of Friends ; but failing in their attempt, they 
manifested much uneasiness, and some of them cast unhand- 
some reflections on the clerks. The great struggle was with 
the Ministers and Elders. In their meeting it was proposed 
(by a woman Friend from England), to appoint a solid commit- 
tee to go into a judicious investigation of the subject, which 
Elias violently opposed ; and when any attempt was made to 
bring the dispute to a settlement, he, with a few others, would 
oppose it with violence, making long replies to every one who 
spoke ; their replies being often full of harsh and bitter reflec- 
tions. In this way, they produced such confusion in the meet- 
ing, that the business could not be done in order, and this con- 
tinued, until Friends gave up the attempt, and passed through 
the Yearly Meeting, (1827), as well as they could. When a 
knowledge of the cause of contention became more spread, the 
Hicksites saw their former mask would not hide them any 



JOSEPH HOAG. 299 

longer. They came out more open and bold in their princi- 
ples, laboring in every part of the Yearly Meeting where they 
could, to make strong their bands in preparation for a large 
sweep the next Yearly Meeting, (1828). 

Elias, and one of his confederates, in the spring of that year, 
went to Philadelphia, and joined a body that were of his prin- 
ciples, who had already separated from Friends, and held what 
they called a Yearly Meeting, with which, he fully identified 
himself. A great number of these seceders from Philadelphia 
Yearly Meeting, many of whom were disowned, or under 
dealing for their out-goings, came to New York. Sev- 
eral of these imposed themselve's upon us at the opening of the 
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, on seventh day. Friends 
bore long with them without casting any reflections, yet stood 
firm in the maintenance of our ancient order — -not to transact 
the business of the Society, before those who are not members 
of it — and in return for their calmness, received little but harsh 
reflections and censures, which are beyond the power of my pen 
to describe. In this way we passed two long sittings, and ad- 
journed until after the opening of the Yearly Meeting at large, 
on second day, when several hundred of these intruders poured 
in upon us, and proceeded as they had done in the other meet- 
ings. Friends objected to proceeding to business, until the 
meeting was select. The Hicksites insisted that the regular 
clerk should not act for the meeting at all, and in their con- 
tending, used abundance of censures ; but Friends kept calm, 
and close to the point in hand, until the meeting got into such 
a general uproar that no business could be clone in decent or- 
der. At this juncture, a Hicksite proclaimed that the repre- 
sentatives had agreed to propose such a Friend for clerk, which 
was not strictly true ; for it was ascertained that a large num- 
ber of them knew nothing of the agreement. This was objec- 
ted to by Friends, and united with by a few Hicksites, and 
quickly a cry was made by a number speaking at once, " Clerk, 
go to the table ! " which he did, and a part of the way by pass- 
ing over the heads of Friends, by stepping from the back of 



300 JOURNAL OF 

one seat to another. The regular clerks were crowded away, 
and he was placed in their stead. 

At the time the cry was made for their clerk to go to the 
table, I think there were not less than forty or fifty on their 
feet speaking, some of them very loud ; many were drumming 
with their feet, others with their canes, and many others with 
their hands, on the backs of the seats, while others were laugh- 
ing and hissing, and acting many kinds of gestures, indicating 
extreme bitterness. The like I had never seen before, though 
I had traveled all over this continent, where there was known 
to be any body of Friends, and had then passed the 66th year 
of my age, had seen much, but nothing that would compare 
with this horrid scene ; neither had it entered my heart to be- 
lieve that there was any set of men, professing the peaceable 
principles of a Quaker, who would act so void of all truth, jus- 
tice, and honor, as they did, as though they feared not God, 
neither regarded man, and believed there was no devil, or fu- 
ture punishment. 

When the din had so abated that a voice could be heard, a 
Friend audibly proposed for all those who believed in our an- 
cient principles, and wished to adhere to and maintain the an- 
cient order of our Society, to withdraw to the basement story, 
to hold the Yearly Meeting. Accordingly, we arose, and went 
out in a body ; but when we got to the door of the apartment, 
we found it locked and guarded, and we were told, in a taunt- 
ing manner, that if we attempted to open £he door, the law 
would be put in force against us. Friends replied, that they 
should use no violence, but wished to enjoy their rights peace- 
ably. When we found we could not be permitted to enter, we 
retired to a Medical College in the city, where we transacted 
our business in unity, harmony, and a peaceful quiet. A new 
field of labor now opened, in expectation that the Hicksites 
would assume to be the Yearly Meeting, in which Friends were 
not deceived ; therefore, in order that sound Friends should not 
be drawn away by them, an epistle, setting forth the cause of 
the division, and the treatment Friends endured, was drawn up, 



JOSEPH HOAG. 301 

and a large committee appointed to accompany that and the 
extracts, down to the Preparative, Monthly, and Quarterly 
Meetings, as promptly as way might open. 

The Hicksite Yearly Meeting closed one day before ours, at 
the close of which, I returned home, being aware that the two 
eldest and most influential men, Elders, had for many years ad- 
hered to those separate doctrines, and having become strong 
therein, endeavored to spread them; yet I had opposed 
those principles in every part of the Quarterly Meeting, w T here- 
ever I found them, showing that it was rotten infidelity, wrap- 
ped up under the plausible pretext of a more profound, relig- 
ious knowledge, thati Friends had ever attained to before. My 
opposing it steadily, which was mostly among the younger 
class, soon got to the Elders, and I was called on by them, and 
inquired of, if I opposed such sentiments. I let them know 
that I did, and gave them my mind, letting them understand 
plainly, that if such sentiments prevailed amongst Friends, the 
time would come when it would make the greatest division that 
ever was, since Friends were a people ; as their principles were 
not those of Friends ; being deistical sentiments, which seemed 
to offend them. I was told in reply, that they were Elias Hick's 
sentiments, and that he was no deist, but the greatest man in 
the world; and one of them said, "I believe he knows more 
than George Fox did." I replied, "I do not go to Elias Hicks 
or any other man for my religion." I»was replied to, in a short 
way, that he was not afraid to trust himself upon Elias Hicks' 
knowledge. Thus, all our friendship closed, as they continued, 
both in public and private, whenever they thought it would be 
borne, to pour out censure upon me to destroy my credit as a 
Minister, and my influence in the discipline and amongst Friends; 
having others to back them openly. Not knowing how far their 
pernicious principles were diffused, it seemed at times, as though 
there were but a few steps between me and death. 

Before we left New York, I told Friends of my own Quarter 
who were appointed with me on the Yearly Meeting's Commit- 
tee, that I thought it would be best for us to furnish ourselves with 



302 JOURNAL OF 

epistles and extracts ; giving them my reasons, with which they 
united ; yet when we got home the Hicksite epistles and ex- 
tracts were circulating from hand to hand, very currently. The 
minds of Friends seemed agitated, and things looked gloomy ; 
yet they were favored to keep steady and calm, so that when 
the documents from our Yearly Meeting were offered to the 
Preparative Meetings of Starksboro Monthly Meeting, at which 
time there were four, they all received and acknowledged them, 
without a dissenting voice. Two of the Preparative Meetings 
at Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, received them without any hesi- 
tation; the others refused. The Preparative Meetings of Peru 
Monthly Meeting refused to pay any attention to the Yearly 
Meeting's committee. When Monthly Meeting came, the com- 
mittee presented our epistle and extracts, which were violently 
opposed by a few, and the committee was treated with very 
unhandsome language. At length, a Friend proposed to allow 
more time, as he thought they were not enough informed to 
come to a judgment on so weighty and important a subject ; add- 
ing, he had seen the epistle and extracts on one side, and that 
he wanted to see them on the other, before he could form a 
judgment to his satisfaction, and thought it was the case with 
others. This was satisfactory, and the subject was laid over 
for one month. At Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, the two El- 
ders censured us for attempting to come there and offer an 
epistle from that company who had gone off from the great bo- 
dy of Friends. The committee calmly showed them, that our 
Yearly Meeting was in full unity with the Yearly Meetings in 
Europe, and nearly all on this Continent, and that theirs was 
disowned ; which somewhat checked their boasting. 

After enduring many reflections, a proposition was made to 
let it rest one month for consideration, which appeared to be 
the mind of several ; and the committee uniting, informed, that 
all who wished for information, would have the epistle and ex- 
tracts handed them, at the close of the meeting. Nearly all 
came forward and were furnished ; and here it rested for one 
month. Starksboro Monthly Meeting received, and cordially 



JOSEPH HOAG. 303 

united with the epistles and extracts, without a dissenting voice. 
When the month came round, we attended Peru again, and re- 
newed the offer of the extracts and epistles; which met with a 
resolute opposition from a few ; but Friends being now well in- 
formed, a number desired to have them read. The debate con- 
tinued two hours; during this time, theHicksites often threw out 
heavy and harsh censure upon the committee, one of them proph- 
esying with affected solemnity, that we were in a delusion, and 
should run out to nothing ; yet Friends were favored to keep 
patient, until the Hicksites had much exhausted their funds, in 
a way that was not convincing in their favor. At length it was 
proposed by a Friend, that he thought it would be right for 
those who had spoken so much, to give it up, and let the meet- 
ing decide, as they were not likely, by continuing the dispute, 
to bring the business to a close ; and seeing the meeting so ful- 
ly united, they gave up. The documents were then read and 
accepted; and the women's meeting did the same. 

When we came again to Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, and of- 
fered the extracts, the Elders arose in vehement opposition, 
casting on us and the Yearly Meeting, heavy censure ; calling 
the committee separatists — deluded imposers on Friends — press- 
ing us not to stand against the great, and weighty body of Friends, 
of which they were members — that such attempts have never 
prospered, and never would. In this way, they kept bearing 
down on the committee whenever they offered anything to the 
meeting, until it was in such confusion, that there would be five 
or six up and speaking at one time. Several moves of this kind 
were made when any Friend arose to speak. They seemed de- 
termined to run us down, and the clerk — being a Hicksite — 
would have nothing to do with our business. A Friend pro- 
posed for Friends to withdraw, when a Hicksite arose quickly 
and said there was no need of dividing, — he knew of nothing to 
divide for. When he stopped, another arose and requested to 
be heard, and spoke lengthy. The substance was, keep togeth- 
er a little longer. Through the whole, Friends were favored to 
keep much in the patience. When the last set down, I soon 



304 JOURNAL OF 

arose and proposed, that all who believe in and are satisfied 
with the ancient principles of Friends, propagated and main- 
tained by George Fox and his cotemporaries, and wished to 
maintain our discipline and ancient order, which was establish- 
ed by our forefathers, which has proved a blessing to our so- 
ciety to the present day, to withdraw as still as they could. — 
Then I went out to the school-house, and found it fastened. I 
had not expected more than one quarter of the meeting would 
withdraw. But when I turned about and saw such a body 
standing, and little lads from ten to fifteen years of age, looking 
as sober as old men ; and some of them with tears in their 
eyes, it so came over me, that for a short time, I had enough 
to do to command • the man. After a short pause and recollec- 
tion, I thought we had nothing but the open canopy to hold 
our meeting under. But looking around, I saw at the east end 
of the horse shed, there was a space, where we went. And by 
taking the seats out of Friends' carriages, and picking up a few 
boards, we seated more than forty pretty comfortably ; leaving 
only eleven men and three lads in the house, although they had 
boasted of their great majority. 

Shortly after we were seated, a pleasant calm came over the 
meeting, which brought us into a tender and near unity, one 
with another, which encouraged our drooping minds, to go for- 
ward in this sharp trial. We appointed clerks, and having the 
minutes of two of our Preparative Meetings, after a suitable in- 
troductory minute to organize the meeting, we transacted the 
business in much harmony, and adjourned to Monkton. The 
women kept the house for the day, but the Hicksites refused to 
act with them. They also adjourned to Monkton, where we 
hold our meetings to the present time, without interruption. 

At the ensuing Quarterly Meeting, which came in course at 
Peru, we had the company of several of the Yearly Meeting's 
committee, from New York and thereabouts ; and all three of 
the Monthly Meetings having fully acknowledged the authority 
of the Yearly Meeting, there was but little struggle in the Quar- 
ter, and we went through with our business comfortably. Yet, 



JOSEPH HOAG, 305 

at the next Quarter, held at Ferrisburg, there came a company 
of Hicksites from New York, Long Island, Saratoga, and Pitts- 
town, who got into the house early, and filled the seat at the 
clerk's table ; and when the clerk drew near, an individual from 
Peru, gave him a push to keep him off ; and when he, by direc- 
tion, arose to open the meeting, the Hicksites opposed him, and 
ordered their own clerk to proceed. Friends opposed this in 
moderation, and civil language, and with composed firmness as- 
serted their rights, and gave their reasons. This so heated them, 
that they fell to their usual practice of censuring, a number speak- 
ing at the same time, until the meeting was in great confusion. 
They withal let us know, that their meeting they would hold, 
and that we should not do our business first, if we sat all day. 

I looked it all over ; it being the fall Quarter, the roads were 
muddy, and it was four miles to the nearest meeting-house ; the 
probability was, that if we attempted to withdraw at that time, 
as the weather was not favorable for being ont of doors, that 
these circumstances might induce some to stay with them, and 
others might go home, rather than undertake the toil, as it 
would bring meeting very late. Under these views, I propo- 
sed to Friends to stop disputing and sit quietly, and let them 
do their business, hoping that when they were done, they would 
treat us with a little civility. Friends readily agreed to the pro- 
posal, and the Hicksites proceeded, and might have finished in 
a short time, for their business appeared to be nearly all writ- 
ten down ; but their clerk appeared disposed to prolong the 
time all he could ; and when they were informed that the bus- 
iness was completed, several of them wanted to clear their minds; 
so we had to sit, I think near an hour to hear them, which was cal- 
culated to wear our patience, and grind our feelings. After they 
had all got through, no reply being made, we sat quietly a little 
time, then modestly asked the Hicksite clerk, to let our clerk 
come to the table. He did not, however, and was asked the 
second time ; but he did not move, until one of his own side 
said, that as we had sat so long quietly, and had not disturbed 
them, he thought now we ought to have the privilege of doing 



306 JOURNAL OF 

our business. Their clerk then, with apparent reluctance, left 
the table, and our clerk came forward and opened the meeting. 
The Hicksites withdrew, leaving us to transact our business, 
which was accomplished in harmony, and greatly to our com- 
fort. We adjourned the meeting for worship the next day to 
Monkton, where we had a large, crowded meeting, many of 
our neighbors coming in, some of whom had left our meetings 
on account of the doctrines they heard preached by travellers 
that came amongst us. not knowing but that Friends approved 
of such views. But now, seeing the separation had taken place, 
said, "We will come to your meetings again, where we can hear 
the old fashioned preaching : for you believe in Jesus Christ, as 
we do — the other side does not :'' — an evidence that those of 
other Societies saw clearly what error was promulgated — calling 
it infidelity. 

This division in the Quarter, proved favorable for Peru ; for 
there the Hicksites would not divide, but kept karrassing 
Friends ; but now they went out with the rest, which gave us 
the opportunity of knowing who they were, and relieved Friends 
of a grievous burden. Now we can meet, worship, and trans- 
act our business without interruption, to our great joy. 

A short time before our Quarterly Meeting, there came a letter 
from Friends of Dauby Monthly Meeting, informing that the 
Hicksite extracts were presented to their last meeting, and that 
a considerable majority chose to accept and identify themselves 
with them ; in consequence whereof a number withdrew to a 
Friend's house, and adjourned the meeting to be held the next 
month at Granville, earnestly desiring those of the Yearly 
Meeting's committee belonging to Ferrisburg Quarter, to meet 
with them, as they had no prospect that any of the committee 
from the south would attend. Agreeably to their request, four 
of us attended, and found them laboring under great discour- 
agement ; yet there appeared a sufficient number of well quali- 
fied members, to sustain a Monthly Meeting to the honor of 
Truth. We met at the meeting house — the Hicksites also at- 
tending — and at the opening of the meeting for business, we 



JOSEPH 110AG. 307 

offered tlie extracts from our Yearly Meeting, and requested the 
privilege of attending to the business according to the order, 
and in subordination to the Yearly Meeting, under which the 
Monthly Meeting had always acted. The Hicksites rejected 
this with abusive language, especially one of their number, who 
made use, I think, of the most insulting language we met with ; 
but by being guarded, Friends were preserved from running 
into rambling disputes, which were sought for by the dissent- 
ing party. When we had accomplished our duty agreeably to 
our appointment, we withdrew to a convenient dwelling, owned 
by a Friend, who kindly offered it, where we sat down like two 
little flocks of kids, feeling stripped, peeled, and borne down. 
In this state, it pleased the God of all our sure mercies, to com- 
passionate us, and favoring with the overshadowing of His 
heavenly presence, to the reviving of our drooping spirits, and 
strengthening our confidence in His never-failing arm. The 
members were brought into unity and sympathy one with an- 
other, and we passed through the business to our mutual satis- 
faction, and I believe, to our thankful joy in the Lord, who had 
wonderfully made a way for our escape from the scourge of the 
cruel tongue, and had enabled us to hold our meetings in the 
ancient quiet. The minds of the committee were brought into 
serious consideration of the propriety of encouraging Friends 
to try to sustain Easton Quarterly Meeting, All being united 
therein, it appeared necessary for that Monthly Meeting to ap- 
point a committee to visit East Hoosick Monthly Meeting to 
inform them of what had taken place, and of the proposition 
for them to meet with us. After a time of consideration, the 
meeting appointed a committee, who found that most of the 
Friends in East Hoosick were sound in principle, and rejoiced 
in the steps that had been taken. 

"When the time came, we found a larger collection than we 
had expected ; for we had several from Easton and Troy 
Monthly Meeting, whose remaining with Friends we knew not 
of. We also had several of the Yearly Meeting's committee 
from the Southern Quarters, who approved of the steps taken. 



308 JOURNAL OF 

The several sittings were favored, contriting seasons, tending 
to strengthen our 'confidence in the unslumbering Shepherd of 
Israel. The meeting was adjourned to the same place the next 
quarter. It was considerably larger, and owned by the great 
Head of the Church. Our business was conducted with solem- 
nity and near unity and brotherly condescension, and adjourned 
to be at Adams, the next Quarter, formerly called East Hoo- 
sicfe. This ends the account for the year 1828. 



CHAPTER XL 

In the year 1829, having obtained the unity of my own 
Monthly Meeting, I set out the 10th of 7th month, to perform 
a religious visit in the vicinity of several of the Southern Quar- 
ters in the Yearly Meeting, and fell in at a small meeting at 
Danby on first day, that seemed to me like a little company of 
kids couched down, while the boasting Assyrian Spirit had fill- 
fed the country with their clamor; and when I came to sit 
down with them, I was favored to feel the presence of the Lamb 
of God to be with them ; with a clear evidence that the Lord 
Almighty continues to regard the low estate of His people, 
who look to him with unabated constancy, for counsel, direc- 
tion, and protection ; and that His never failing arm always 
upholds — His wisdom guides— and His almighty power enables 
them to fight under the banner of the Lamb, so as to obtain 
the victory. My heart was made glad, and my soul comforted 
in being with them. At four in the afternoon, I had an ap- 
pointed meeting in a small village called the Borough, where 
considerably more came than I expected. They were mostly 
a sober countenanced people ; it was a favored, satisfactory 
meeting to me. Some Friends thought there would have been 
many more at the meeting, had not a Hicksite preacher come 
into the place a few hours before me, and notice thereof spread 
ahead of mine. Many of other societies were disposed to go 
and hear for themselves, and see if he would preach up his 
principles ; as many had heard him years before, when he 
stood in unity with Friends ; but now they were disappointed, 
as several told me, for he never touched his principles, appear- 
ing careful to preach an old fashioned sermon ; which gave 



310 JOURNAL OF 

tliem cause to think he was a hypocrite, and ashamed to own 
his principles. This so nettled the Hicksites, that they resort- 
ed to their accustomed plea, that the people did not under- 
stand him ; they believed he meant otherwise ; which they 
could not reconcile with the people ; so that his visit proved 
not satisfactory to either party. 

After meeting, I went to Noah Conger's, and staid that 
night, and most of second day. The Hicksites finding I was 
there, several of them and a number of friendly neighbors came 
in. Caleb Randall, one of the Hicksites, a subtle, oily-tongued 
man, aimed at me his discourse. I think for one hour and a 
half he kept up his caviling. And by being guarded, I was 
enabled to answer in a way that disappointed him in every at- 
tack. At length, I told him that I knew he was as subtle as 
any other man, and that he would not get me in that way, for 
I was aware of him, and he might as well give it up first as last. 
This so far dashed him, that he dropped his discourse and be- 
came mute. This gave me an opportunity to make a number 
of observations on his expressions, and to state a number of 
facts, which I was eye and ear witness to, of their conduct and 
language ; very much to the satisfaction of those neighbors 
who sat by ; upon which he left. Though a number were 
present, we soon all became silent, and were favored with a 
tendering, refreshing time, not easy to be forgotten by me. 
After which I took my leave of them, and went to Christopher 
Almy's, in Tinmouth, and had a meeting on third day, in that 
neighborhood, with a thoughtful people, several of whom were 
looking toward Friends. It was a favored time, I hope to the 
praise of the Lord, and promotion of the righteous cause of the 
Gospel. 

On fourth day, I had a meeting in another part of Tinmouth, 
It was full ; the minds of the people appeared open to hear the 
truths of the Gospel. It was a refreshing, relieving time to my 
mind. Thanks be ascribed to the Lord Most High, for the 
continuation of his day of favor and visitation to the people, 
and strengthening His poor dependent servants as He leadeth 



JOSEPH HO AG. 311 

them about, and they arc obedient to do all lie requires of 
them ; richly rewarding them with heavenly peace. Blessed 
be His holy name ! 

Fifth day, I went to Abner Potter's, in Granville, State of 
New York. On sixth day, I had a very small meeting in 
North Granville Village. After sitting a little in silence, an in- 
fidel sitting in the meeting, inquired the difference between the 
Orthodox Friends and the Hicksites. I felt fully at liberty to 
answer him, by stating the difference in sentiment on points of 
doctrine. He broke in several times, to defend the Hicksites. 
I told him, he had asked a fair question, and I should answer 
it before I went on any other 'discourse. When*I had thus 
said, I took up bis and the Hicksites principles, and showed 
him that his and their belief had no proof but bare assertion, 
for they both discarded the Scriptures as a test for doctrines. 
It was folly, and they had no right to resort to a book to prop 
their fabric, wdrich they declared not to be relied on ; so of 
course they had no proof but their wit, eloquence, art or soph- 
istry, to prop their fabric with, while we had the Scriptures ; 
for as we believed in them, we had a right to appeal to them . 
Especially as they were ushered into the world in a different 
manner from other books ; God being pleased to bear the wit- 
ness of them by signs and wonders, and many miracles — a proof 
of their Divine origin. x\lso, the records of several nations co- 
temporary w x ith them, had stated the same events, in a number 
of instances ; and I should not ramble about with him, but call 
for his proof. He became mute, and after a short pause, feel- 
ing my mind much opened, I took up the subject at large, and 
showed the few w T ho were gathered, the abundant proof there 
was in support of the Gospel, and the great w r ant of it on the 
side of the infidel; also the reason of our hope and faith, from 
the same store of proof. When I felt the current to stop, and 
closed with it, a perceptible solemnity was spread over the 
meeting, and some shed tears. We sat a little; the people 
were then informed that I had nothing more for them. All 
appeared well satisfied who spoke to me ; one woman express- 



312 JOURNAL GF 

ed, she believed every word. I felt my mind fully relieved 
and comforted. 

On seventh day, I returned to Danby, and attended that lit- 
tle meeting again, and another in the afternoon, which was 
large for that place. In both, the Master of Israel's assemblies 
was felt to be in the midst with His people, to comfort and 
strengthen them to hold up the standard of Truth in its own 
authority ; to the praise of His own name, who is worthy 
thereof. On second day, with Noah Conger, I went to Mount 
Holly, where all the members but one were gone from Friends ; 
the most of them Hicksites ; so we had a meeting in the Meth- 
odist meeting-house ; many of the inhabitants and most of the 
Hicksites attending. I was led in a way not usual for me, 
having to state our principles on the fundamental points of the 
Gospel, and those of the Hicksites on the same points, contrast- 
ing the difference between the two, at considerable length ; 
bringing into view much Scripture proof of our doctrines, so 
that it was a laborious day to me ; yet through the tender mer- 
cy of Jehovah, holy Help was given equal to the occasion, and 
sufficient for the day. Blessed be His holy name ! For His 
heavenly presence was felt to spread over the meeting — a sol- 
emn, tendering time, to many minds. 

I went to the house of Samuel Cook, an elder who went 
with the Hicksites ; most of that class there, coming in, one of 
them began the subject. This opened the way for me to in- 
form them what the Hicksite principles were, in all its bear- 
ings, and of their conduct, that I had been an eye and ear wit- 
ness of, relative to their rending, harsh conduct in words and 
actions. They sat like people amazed until I got through, 
then asked a few questions, which I answered plainly and clearly, 
so that when we parted with Samuel Cook and family, he look- 
ed like a sick man. I found they had been filled with false 
representations. In answer to those questions, I stated facts 
that could be supported by the best authority, and a large 
number of accredited documents. I left it with them to think 
for themselves, with desires that the Lord might compassionate, 



JOSEPH HO AG. 313 

in His boundless favors, of His forgiving mercies to these poor, 
deceived creatures, for they know not what they do. With 
thankfulness, I may truly acknowledge, that I felt as great sat- 
isfaction and peace in the labors of this interview, as any ser- 
vice, I had performed in the cause of Truth, in this journey. 

Third day, we returned to Danby. On fourth day, I attend- 
ed the small meeting there, where we were comforted together, 
being favored to feel the Heavenly Father's love to bind us to- 
gether in the fellowship of the Gospel. After meeting, I re- 
turned to Granville, and having taken cold, I lay by sixth and 
seventh days to recruit, at the house of my valued friend, Na- 
thaniel Potter. First day, the 26th, I attended Friends' meet- 
ing, and appointed another in East Granville for the afternoon. 
In both, the spring of the Gospel was lively, and its testimony 
went forth in the clearness of Gospel authority, to the humb- 
ling and tendering of the minds of many ; Truth reigned to the 
glory and hoaor of the God of all grace, to whom all praise be- 
longeth ; and may He grant the favor of the day to be a lasting 
blessing to the people. 

Second day, the 27th, I went to Cambridge, and called on 

, a family that had been more than common attached to 

me for twenty years or more ; so much so, that they seemed 
hurt in their feelings if I passed by, and did not call on them. 
Of course, I often called when I passed that way ; for I had of- 
ten been a guest at the table of his wife's parents, for nearly 
twenty-seven years, and was always treated with great respect. 
Her father had been deceased two or. three years, and her moth- 
er was living with her. When I entered the door, the wife was 
standing near ; I offered her my hand ; she gave her hand with 
a remarkable sour look. I then asked after the family's health ; 
she answered me with a voice that indicated ill-nature, and I 
could not hear all she said. I then asked, if her mother was 
liviDg ; she said, "yes, she is in the other room." She went in, 
and I followed, and took her mother by the band, asking after 
her health. She answered, "I am a poor creature ;" then look- 
ed me full in the face, withdrew her hand, and turned from me ; 
20 



614 JOURNAL OF 

her daughter told her who I was, but it made no difference in 
her conduct. I introduced some discourse, but got no answer. 
"When I got tired of this treatment, I went into the other room 
again, and asked for the husband, as I wished to see him. She 
sent for him ; he was not far off, (as he stood and looked at me 
when I drove up to the door,) but did not come in. I urged 
it ; she sent for him a second time, yet he did not come. I 
asked twice for some food for my horse. At length there was 
a small lock of hay brought, which looked like the leavings of 
another ; my creature would not touch it, though she had been 
drove a long distance, and was quite hungry. The wife — moth- 
er of the family — asked if I wanted some victuals ; I told her 
"No" (for the truth was I had got a full meal by this time,) but 
said, "I shall be glad of some cool drink." She brought me a 
glass of warm beer, with a cold countenance, and slow step. I 
endeavored to introduce discourse on different subjects ; but got 
for answer, Yes, or No ; and sometimes no answer at all. I had 
not often been beat in this way, and was not willing to give it 
up, as I had called on them, for former friendship ; not know- 
ing how they stood. After sitting some time silent, I pleasant- 
ly asked her, what I had done, or what had transpired, that 
changed their conduct towards me ; as I did not know what it 
was, I wished to be informed ; but got no answer. I repeated 
the question several times, yet there was no answer. She be- 
came dumb. I then stated, that it was my right, if I had done 
anything, to know w T hat it was, that I might take it out of the 
way ; and if innocent, to speak for myself. When, this answer 
answer was given: " I have nothing laid up against anybody." 
I said, "This does not directly answer my question, and from 
what I have seen and met with, I shall consider myself excused 
from calling on you in future ; " and left them with my mind 
illed with heartfelt pity, with this conclusion : if this is the ef- 
fect of Hicksite principles, I am glad and thankful that I am 
no Hicksite. I then had to ride nine miles, before I got any 
refreshment for myself and horse, after driving a pretty full 
day's journey before — unless I had stopped at a tavern. Wlien 



JOSEPH HOAG. , 315 

I arrived at Cornelius Devol's widow's, I met with a kind re- 
ception, good entertainment, and a fine night's rest, which 
seemed to sweeten the bitter cup of the day before. 

Third day, 28th, I had a meeting in the neighborhood, which 
was pretty full for the place, and a favored time, to the tender- 
ing of many minds. Thence to Caleb Barker's, at White 
Creek, where I was received with kindness ; and the day fol- 
lowing, had a small meeting in a little village near. The next 
day I spent in a social visit, much to my satisfaction, as it gave 
me an opportunity to clear my mind, without giving offence, 
on the subject of the division among us. Thence I went to 
Pittstown, and on my way, /turned a little aside to visit J. A. 
I found his wife a tender, well concerned Friend, and he a warm 
Hicksite. He cast many reflections on Friends, and some false 
statements, which I endeavored to correct, but to no satisfac- 
tion to him. Observing this, I endeavored to close the dis- 
course, but could not, for he continued to bring up new char- 
ges, that grieved his wife, and deprived me of the comfort I 
hoped for in the visit. Seeing no prospect of its being any bet- 
ter, I took leave of them, and went to Micajah Hunt's. He and 
his wife were kind, faithful Friends. I staid with them all 
night; and on seventh day, the 1st of 8th month, I started for 
Schaghticoke Point, and the day following I had a meeting in 
the South part of Pittstown, near one Slade's, a Friend living 
much alone ; it was an humbling, serious time to me, which 
appeared to be the state of the meeting. The next day we 
went to Adams, and called oft a Friend by the way, who was 
desirous to know the cause of contention. I gave him all the 
information I could, which appeared to relieve him much. His 
ears had been filled with sentiments entirely false. I informed 
him how and where he might find all that I had stated, suppor- 
ted by the best authority, and I parted with him in a tender 
state of mind. 

When I arrived at Adams, I found that their mid week meet- 
ing was on Fifth day, and that there was a funeral of a young- 
man who was to be buried before the meeting. Notice of my 



316 JOURNAL OF 

being there having been given, the meeting was large ; many of 
■ the Hicksites came, whose countenances bade defiance, and 
they appeared to be armed with a coat of mail. There cham- 
pion came, and placed himself at my right hand, and soon this 
language ran through my mind, "This is a Hicksite ; " but I 
felt to my comfort, that his spirit could not touch me. After 
sitting a little in deep humility, I felt the Word of Lite to arise, 
and in attending to the Divine motion, the Word of Truth went 
forth in the clearness of its own authority, and arose into do- 
minion;- — the power of the Lord bound down that boasting 
spirit, the meeting became solemn, and ended quietly ; I hope 
to the honor of Truth and the glory of God, who is worthy of 
honor, might, majesty, and the praise of all His works forever- 



more 



On Sixth day, I had a meeting in Cheshire, to pretty good 
satisfaction ; yet there was not that openness in the minds of 
the people to receive the Truth, as in some other places. — 
Seventh day, I had a meeting in Adams, North Village — a fa- 
vored season. Thanks, honor, and praise, be ascribed to the 
Name of the most high God, for His safe, directing hand through 
the heights and depths, and for His preserving power, in aba- 
sedness and aboundings hitherto ! First day, I met with Friends, 
and was favored to feel with them in their tried state, and had 
a word of encouragement for them to abide in the patience, and 
keep to the faith once delivered to the saints. Second day, I 
drove to Granville, to attend Easton Quarterly Meeting, held 
there. The several sittings thereof were owmed by the Great 
Head of the Church ; the business w<as conducted in harmony 
— a uniting solemnity was realized to the close, and Friends 
parted from each other, I trust, with thankful hearts, for the fa- 
vor of enjoying our meetings wdthout being disturbed. Great 
are the favors of the Lord, continued to His people. Blessed, 
forever, be His Name ! 

After meeting, with other Friends, we drove about twenty 
miles towards Easton, and on sixth day had a meeting in a vil- 
lage, formerly called Whipple City. The opportunity was 



JOSEPH IIO AG. 317 

much, to the relief of my mind, and well accepted by the peo- 
ple. The truths delivered were acknowledged by them. After 
meeting, I drove to Abner Dc vol's and rested on seventh day. 
First day, the 24th, I attended the small meeting of Friends 
near Schaghticoke Point ; wherein, to my comfort, and satis- 
faction, I found their meeting together, was owned by the Head 
of the Church — three families that could not join with the 
Hicksites, but met by themselves. On second day, I went to 
Little White Creek, and next day had a small meeting there, in 
which I was enabled to clear my mind, and left them peacefully. 
Fourth day, I went to Cambridge, and had a small meeting 
at five in the afternoon. Here is but one woman who is a 
Friend, the rest are Hicksites. I went to the house of one of 
them. At first he appeared very pleasant, and expressed his 
gladness that I had called on him, saying I was welcome. Af- 
ter some conversation, I informed him that I came there with a 
prospect of having a meeting with the people, if they were wil- 
ling to meet with me, and asked him, where he thought I could 
get a house. He replied, " There is the meeting-house." I 
informed him that I could go into it on my own right and no 
other principle ; having a right to any Friends' meeting-house in 
the Yearly Meeting. This seemed to startle him a little, yet he 
said, "Thou hast my consent if the rest agree to it." The 
thought struck me, that I should not get the meeting-house, 
and I asked if there was a school-house in the neighborhood, 
owned by different Societies. He said, there was one near the 
meeting-house. I turned to the young Friend with me, and 
told him to go to the others and find whether they were will- 
ing for me to go into the meeting-house, if I felt free to do so ; 
if not to go to the trustees of the school-house, and' obtain that 
if he could. The Hicksite replied, "I am a proprietor and a 
trustee, and will give my consent." The young Friend went to 
several, who would neither fully deny nor consent ; but having 
obtained liberty to nse the school-house, we notified for the 
meeting. Near the time appointed, quite a body of people 
gathered, and stood in the road before the meeting-house ; and 



318 JOURNAL OF 

there in the presence of many of their neighbors, they denied 
us the house, and we went into the school-house, which 
was soon filled and crowded. It proved a good meeting, and 
the truths of the Gospel opened clearly, and flowed freely. 

Xext morning, my host, after all his pretended kindness, 
wondered how I could have the confidence to come among them 
and want to have a meeting, when I was one of those who had 
disowned them, as believers in false principles. He went on so 
long, that I found it needful to exercise patience, and after he 
got through, I observed, that he must know that Friends often 
traveled amongst other societies, and the motive was to con- 
vince them of their errors, and to strengthen that which they 
found to be right ; that thus I had come amongst them. He 
quickly answered, "Thou hast not convinced me, for I feel 
four times as strong as I did before." I pleasantly answered 
him, that I did not feel myself accountable for his not believing. 
After some moderate discourse, we parted. I had not gone 
far, before I fell in with another of the same class, and soon 
found that my getting a meeting in the neighborhood was not 
pleasing. Their neighbors being so well satisfied appeared to 
perplex them. He asked me several questions, which I ans- 
wered in a plain, simple manner, he seemed willing to let me 
pass, and we parted apparently pleasant. I passed on to Job 
Allen's,— his wife is the only Friend in that meeting — and took 
breakfast, and left without anything disagreeable occurring at 
that time, and went to Pittstown, to Micajah Hunt's, where I 
was confined for several days by indisposition. 

In looking over what I have passed through the last week, I 
find deep cause to be thankful to the Great Head of the Church, 
for favoring me with patience and ability to answer cavilers in 
a way that often disappointed them ; and to bear the tantali- 
zing censures, with calmness, as though all was fair weather — a 
thing I should once have thought could hardly have been, with- 
out having my feelings touched. The preservation of the Lord 
to me is marvelous, and His strong arm bore up and sustained 



JOSEPH IIOAG. • 319 

through every trial. Forever adored and magnified, be His 
Holy Name ! 

On first day, I had a meeting at Mieajah Hunt's house, 
one-fourth of a mile from Friend's Meeting House ; it was 
large for that place, and through Divine mercy, a favored, ten- 
dering time. May the Lord bless it with increase to His own 
honor, and the gathering of the people ! Second day, I drove 
to Philipstown, and called on an aged aunt, whom I had not 
seen for twenty years. The family were glad to see me, and 
treated me with respectful kindness. My uncle had moved 
there for the sake of enlarging his possessions, when he was 
well off before. Settling out , from Friends, and pursuing his 
object — the increase of wealth — he lost that love for the Socie- 
ty, and that religious concern which he once had, and fell into 
weakness, for which he was disowned. His children all left 
Friends ; and when he deceased, he left them as to property, 
far short of his object — a sentiment that I had long entertained, 
livingiy revived while I was with them, that Friends ought to 
have a strict regard to its being right for them to move, as well 
as an eye to the advance of their pecuniary interest. When the 
former is neglected, the latter may be blasted, and families sus- 
tain great loss every way. 

I went next to Chatham — not a large meeting — where most 
had gone off with the Hicksites, except a few, with whom I had 
a meeting, and a goodly looking company of their neighbors 
were present. The meeting was favored and ended quietly. — 
From thence I went to Ghent, and put up with Samuel Mar- 
riott, and the day following had a full, satisfactory meeting in a 
school-house ; the Hicksites having possession of the meeting- 
house, Friends were debarred the use of it. At four in 
the afternoon I had a good meeting in Hudson, to the comfort 
of the honest hearted. On second day, I went to Little Nine 
Partners ; had a meeting there on third day, in Friends Meeting- 
house ; a mixed gathering, and exercising time ; yet the Lord 
in mercy to the people, gave ability to hold forth the truth of 
the Gospel in clearness ; the meeting was soJid and quiet. — 



320 JOURNAL OF 

Fourth day, I was at the Plains. Those who had the care of 
giving notice of the meeting, being unfaithful, the meeting was 
very small Fifth day, I attended Stanford meeting, in course, 
notice being given, that I was expected there ; it was well at- 
tended ; ability was given to relieve my mind, so as to enjoy a 
peaceful quiet. Sixth day, I had a meeting at the Creek, my 
native place ; w 7 hich was large, considering the situation ; ma- 
ny having gone off with the Hicksites, yet many of their neigh- 
bors came in. It was a favored time ; the Lord's presence was 
sensibly felt, to own the little, stripped and tried company of that 
meeting. Seventh day, I crossed the river at Hyde Park, and 
went to Rosendate. Attended that meeting on first dav. Ma- 
ny not in membership with Friends were in attendance. My 
mind was enlarged, and I was enabled to hold up the standard 
of Truth over the head of boasting Goliah and all his host. — 
Blessed be the name of the Lord. I am now at Isaiah Tilson's, 
seventh of 9th mo. After this, I visited Paltz, Plattekill, and 
Upper Clove meetings. In all of these I was mercifully ena- 
bled, so to clear my mind as to feel well relieved, and the re- 
ward of full showers of peaoe, having the evidence that Truth 
reigned over all opposition. Next I went to Canterberry, first 
day of the week, and had a meeting at six o'clock in the even- 
ing. It was large and crowded, consisting of a great mixture, 
among whom were many hardy minds, so that the labor in the 
ministry was very trying, feeling the necessity to stand on 
my feet a length of time, and communicate to the people. I 
felt it return like the rebounding of w T ater cast against a rock, 
refusing all penetration ; it was so discouraging, that I fully be- 
lieve, had it not been for the sake of a better class among them, 
I should have been excused from speaking. I was led to show 
the Divine authority by which the Holy Scriptures were ush- 
ered into the world ; and the abundant proof to substantiate 
them and establish the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ ; also, to contrast the doctrines of the Gospel, with the 
Infidelity of the present day. I had to show that Infidelity was 
always built on the opinions of men, which had never given any 



JOSEPH IIO AG. 321 

better proof, than the art of sophistry, and casting censures and 
ridicule on the Christian religion, by which conduct they de- 
ceive the unwary. Some in the assembly, received the com- 
munication with gladness ; others listened to it with attention ; 
yet there appeared to be a number, who, in all the defiance of 
hardihood and confidence, stood out to the last. When I sat 
down, my shirt was wet to my back, and I was brought to re- 
member, that it was the case with my Lord many times, that 
although the people saw his miracles, they would not believe, 
nor receive him. Although I was, in the tender mercy of my 
Lord, enabled to clear my mind of all He gave me for the peo- 
ple, yet I could but sorrow for those of the unbelieving class, 
and parted with them with a heavy heart. 

I then went to Marlborough, and had a meeting with a 
stripped few there ; it was a time of comfort and encourage- 
ment, to the honest of that place. 1 5th of 9th month, I at- 
tended a Monthly Meeting at Poughkeepsie, and returned to 
Samuel Adam's, the 16th. 1 7th and 18th, I lay by. 19th, 
first day, had a meeting at Clinesopas, where a number of the 
Hicksites came. I was enabled to hold up the standard of 
Truth, over the head of the Hicksite spirit. Truth prevailed 
over all opposition. I attended a meeting in the afternoon 

with ; he preached a long sermon, and acted out a 

deal of gesture, and I thought lessened the weight of his 
preaching. Th^e third day following, the Monthly Meeting was 
held at Eosendale Plains ; it was large for that place, and was 
a humbling, tendering time, to the refreshment of the upright. 
Their business was conducted in much harmony. Fourth day, 
attended the Valley Monthly Meeting ; their business was man- 
aged very regularly, and in harmony. My service was some- 
what laborious, yet I was marvelously enabled to clear my 
mind, and felt satisfied. 

Fifth day, I attended Cornwall Monthly Meeting, where they 
are much stripped, many having gone off with the Hicksites, 
who had driven Friends out of nearly all their meeting-houses 
in those parts ; yet it was a favored time of renewal of strength. 



322 JOURNAL OF 

The Holy presence of the Lord was felt to be near and pres- 
ent, with the few faithful sufferers of this place, to the encourag- 
ing of the honest-hearted. Blessed, and forever adored, be His 
holy name, who never said to the wrestling seed of Jacob, seek 
ye My face in vain ! I returned to the Valley, and on seventh 
,day, in company with Tristam Eussell, went to Marmakating 
Hollow, and put up with James Pine, for the night. First 
day, the 26th, we had a meeting there to pretty good satisfac- 
tion. Second day, we rode to Paul Horton's, in Bethel, where 
we had a meeting in the evening, with the few Friends and 
their neighbors — a low time — the professors of religion ap- 
peared to be much dried up, if they were ever alive, in a true 
living concern. 

Third day, we went to Mount Silby, where we had a meet- 
ing in the Court House, at three, in the afternoon. It was 
small ; — it was thought by Maria Emley's having been there 
and preached Hicksite doctrine, which offended the people of 
the village, and they concluded they would not be imposed up- 
on — this shut up the way for Friends. I found it my duty to 
set forth Friends' belief in the fundamental doctrines of the 
Gospel in full, and to state, that whosoever denied those doc- 
trines, we, as a people, had no fellowship with. From this, 
we went to Ebenezer Lounsbury's, where we had a full, good 
meeting at evening. The truths of the Gospel flowed freely ; 
the minds of the people were open to hear ; it ended well. We 
then went to James Devine's, Upper Nave-sink ; he and his 
wife were warm Hicksites, yet appeared earnest that we should 
have a meeting at their school-house, in the neighborhood in 
the evening, which we complied with. It was a full meeting, 
and I was much enlarged in holding up the doctrines of the 
Gospel, being led to show that Grace and Truth came by 
Jesus Christ ; and Truth was over all opposition, and reigned 
at that time. The man and his wife above-mentioned, attend- 
ed the meeting, but had kept their principles out of sight. Af- 
ter meeting we returned to their house ; they appeared uneasy 
the rest of the evening. Next morning early, they broke out 



Joseph iioao. 223 

with heavy censures and bitter reflections against Friends, 
mixed up with many objections against our principles and doc- 
trines, and yet contrived to assert, that they were Friends. 
After they had nearly exhausted themselves, we calmly endeav- 
ored to show the inconsistency of their principles and conduct 
as a people, and parted w T ith them much more calm, than it 
had appeared we should be able to — a favor that seemed to 
sweeten the bitter. 

We next went to Daniel Reynold's, at Thunder Hill. He and 
family were Hicksites. They received us w r ith courtesy, and 
when we opened our prospect of a meeting,, it did not discon- 
cert him. He sat calm a little-, thefn said, w r e were welcome to 
the school-house, in which they met, and of which he was 
chief owner ; but that he could not assist us at all in giving no- 
tice, as we had disowned them. This honest conduct was so 
to my satisfaction, that I felt better in his house than I did be- 
fore. The two Friends who were with me, went out and gave 
pretty general notice. We had a full favored meeting in the 
evening, Daniel and his family mostly attended. It was easily 
seen that Daniel was disappointed, in seeing so many come to 
the meeting ; yet he carried it through courteously, and we 
parted with them pleasantly, and w T ent to Greenfield, where I 
appointed a meeting, at evening, in Friends' meeting-house, and 
met with no opposition on that account, though they were 
nearly all gone from Friends. It was large for that place. I 
felt my mind clothed w T ith Gospel authority, and was led to 
show, that the spirit that confessed not that Jesus Christ 
has come in the flesh, is not of God. I was much enlarged in 
the authority of the everlasting Truth, which w T as in dominion, 
and prevailed over all gainsaying spirits. 

We next went to Benjamin Birdsall's, at Marmakating Hol- 
low, and had a meeting at the widow Anna Penny's, at eve- 
ning ; a pretty full gathering of people. Much of the formal, 
but little of the life of vital religion, could be realized among 
them ; yet through Divine goodness, I was enabled to clear my 
mind in a plain, sifting testimony, to my relief, and peaceful 



224 JOURNAL OF 

quiet — a good reward. On seventh day morning, we returned 
to James Penny's, very much worn down with fatigue, where I 
lay by, and rested on first day, the 5th of 10th month. Sec- 
ond day, we went to the Valley and lodged with Tristam Kus- 
sel. Third day, I went to sec the children of the late widow 
Haaton, five in number, all single. They appeared very sensi- 
bly to feel the loss of their valuable parents, yet they were fa- 
vored to bear their trials, with a good degree of composure and 
resignation, which I was glad to see ; yet my feelings were 
tenderly impressed in sympathy for and with them. Fourth 
day, I attended Platte Hill Meeting, where I was favored feel- 
ingly to sympathise with that small meeting, in the loss of two 
valuable pillars, as the two before mentioned Friends were. 
Fifth day, I attended the Valley Meeting, where they had un- 
dergone severe trials and sittings ; yet, there was that remain- 
ing, that kept the pure spring of life from a free circulation, 
and caused the innocent life to suffer. I was enabled to clear 
my mind to full satisfaction. 

Sixth day, I went to Blooming Grove, and attended that 
meeting on first day, where there was much rubbish. Strength 
was given sufficient for the day, and utterance to clear my 
mind, so as to feel a peaceful quiet. Blessed be the Lord, for 
His sustaining help, and holy guidance ! Second day, I went 
to Smith Clove, to James Hazard's, where I had a full, crowded 
meeting. In the fore part of it, I felt stripped in spirit, but la- 
boring to be patient and resigned to the Lord's will, I felt a 
gentle spring of the Gospel to open in clearness. As I attend- 
ed to it, it became as a river that a man could swim in. Truth 
arose in dominion, its standard was set up by the help and 
strength of Israel's Shepherd. Blessed forever, be His name ! 

I returned to the Valley, to attend the Quarterly Meeting. 
The several sittings thereof were owned by the holy Shepherd 
of Israel, to the strengthening and encouraging of the right 
minded. I returned to the Clove again, and had a large rneet- 
ino- in the Methodist meeting-house; the people were sober 
and attentive — a favored time, through the continued mercy of 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 325 

the blessed Shepherd of Israel ! We then went to William 
Conklin's, in Conegat, who had gone with the Hicksites, but 
was more mild than many I had met with before. He enter- 
tained us kindly. I informed him we came with a view of 
holding a meeting in that place, if the people were disposed to 
meet with us ; and asked him, where he thought a house could 
be had. He said, there was the meeting-house, that I could 
have. I told him I could not go into it on any other princi- 
ple than my own right, for I considered I had not forfeited my 
right in any house in the Yearly Meeting, nor had the Friends 
that I fellowshipped with. He answered, he thought I had as 
good a right as ever, and I was welcome to the use of it. The 
meeting was held in it, and largely attended by Friends, 
Hicksites and their neighbors ; it was to the relief of my mind, 
as my Master furnished me with ability, and utterance to hold 
up the truths of the Gospel ; and to show the cloud of wit- 
nesses, that ever had and ever would accompany and sustain 
the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We next 
went to Harristown, where there were but two members, and 
some friendly people, who were under discouragement, on ac- 
count of the confusion among Friends. We had a meeting 
with them, which seemed to raise their drooping heads. 

My stopping here so detained me, that I did not get to the 
Quarterly meeting in New York, where I wanted to be, until 
the parting meeting; where I had the company of many of my 
Friends, enjoying the comforting holy presence of the dear 
Master of the true Israel of our assemblies. After meeting I 
went to Flushing, on Long Island, and put up with Walter 
Farrington, the 2 2d of 10th month, and had a pretty full meet- 
ing for the place, at evening, in their new meeting-house, which 
the few Friends who staid faithful, had built ; having been 
dispossesed of their former house by the Hicksites. Friends 
had well accommodated themselves with a good one, where 
they could meet together in the quiet. Each one sat under 
his vine and fig tree, and none to disturb. I was comforted in 
being with them, and glad to find them cheerfully resigned to 



226 JOURNAL OF 

their condition. I think they possess their souls in the quiet. 
First day, I attended WestBury meeting, in their new meet- 
ing house ; they were similarly situated as their brethren at 
Flushing. The meeting was larger than was expected, as many 
of their neighbors came in and sat with us, in a sober, solid 
way. Truth spread over the meeting to the tendering of many 
minds, and comforting of the few faithful Friends there, who 
have been deep sufferers in the great convulsion among us. 
At four in the afternoon, I had a meeting at Thomas Willis', in 
Jericho ; Friends being also deprived of their house, and but 
few Friends left. The meeting was larger than I had reason 
to expect. The great Head of the Church was pleased to fa- 
vor with His holy presence in the midst, to the comforting to- 
gether of the upright in heart. I then crossed to the Main, and 
attended Purchase Quarterly Meeting. The several sittings 
were owned by the great Head of the Church ; His presence 
being sensibly felt amongst us. The business was conducted 
with weight, condescension and solemnity, to the satisfaction 
and comfort of many. At the closing meeting, it pleased the 
righteous, holy Shepherd of the flock, to favor His little ones, 
with a small portion of the best wine, to the strengthening of the 
we#k, and raising in hope, the heads that hung down. For- 
ever praised and blessed, be His holy name ! 

After meeting, I went to Lot Birdsali's, where I lodged, in 
Shapaqua, the 29th of 10th month. The day following I had 
a meeting there. Then at Croton Valley, Peekskill, Croton 
and Salem ; in all which it pleased the head of the Church to 
favor with His holy presence, and to comfort His tried ones. 
From Salem, I went to Purchase to attend that Monthly Meet- 
ing ; it was small, yet favored. Their business was conducted 
in harmony, and I think in the right life. The next day I was 
at Shapaqua Monthly Meeting. I think it is not quite as much 
reduced by the division as the Purchase ; they also did their 
business in condescension. The following day I was at Ama- 
walk Monthly Meeting ; it w r as larger than I expected to find 
it ; their business was guardedly conducted in condescension. 



JOSEPH HOAG. 327 

In all those meetings, the presence of the holy Head of the 
Church, was felt to be the strength of His people, and the lift- 
ing up tbe bands that hung down. 

I then turned and went to Westchester, and put up with 
Lindley More, on seventh day evening, where I staid over first 
day, and attended that meeting. Friends had been driven out 
of their meeting-house, and it was then held in Lindley M ore's 
house ; where it pleased the Beloved of souls to fulfill His 
promise, that where two or three are gathered in His name, 
there He would be in the midst of them. I continued at Lind- 
ley's on second day. Third day, the 17th, I went back to 
Long Island. Fourth day I attended Westbury and Jericho 
Monthly Meeting, which was small, owing to dissension from 
our principles ; yet their business was conducted in good order. 

Fifth day, the 19th, I went, in company with John Titus, to 
Bethpage, with the prospect of having a meeting with the peo- 
ple ; but we found that all who had been Friends, were now 
Hicksites. We met with a cool reception, and no way opened 
for a meeting until I was near giving out, when calling at the 
h :>use of one not of our Society, I informed him of our desire ; 
b it he not readily giving an answer, I observed that I thought 
it best to be honest, and let him know how I stood, desiring 
him to be free. With a smile he said, "I am willing to open 
my house for any good minister, and a meeting may be held 
ir it." The day being considerably passed, we concluded to 
have it in the evening ; this man was ready and active in giving 
notice. It was a favored opportunity, and larger than we ex- 
pected. On sixth day, we parted with the family, who appear- 
ec loving, and the man expressed a desire, that if ever I came 
that way again, I should call on him, adding that his house 
and heart were open for such Friends. 

I then returned to Westbury, where Richard Mott had an 
appointed meeting, in which he was favored ; it was large for 
that place. Seventh day, I returned to Flushing, and on first 
clay, 22d, returned to the city, and attended their morning 
meeting, silent. In the afternoon, way opened to clear my 



328 JOURNAL OF 

mind fully, and felt great peace. On fifth day, I attended Sha- 
paqua meeting, and after it drove to Salem, and put up with 
M. Smith. Seventh day, I went to New Milford, where I met 
with John and Elizabeth Meader, (she is my youngest daugh- 
ter but one ;) :: Shey were on a religious visit. We all attended 
that meeting on first day. It was a large and good meeting. 
We then went to the Branch, to an evening meeting appointed 
for them. The members having nearly all left Friends, tha 
meeting was small, yet favored to feel the presence of Him who 
promised He would be in the midst, when two or three are 
gathered in His name. Second day evening, we had a meeting 
on the Hill, which was small from the same cause, yet there 
were a few, who stood firm in the true faith. With these we 
had a comfortable meeting, and went to Peter Dakin's togeth- 
er, where we staid until fourth day morning, when we parted, 
and I went to Beakman. On fifth day, attended that meeting, 
and afc evening had a meeting at Isaac Flagler's. Sixth day 
evening, had a meeting at Ponghkeepsie, and seventh day 
evening I had one at Pleasant Valley. In all these, it pleased 
the great Head of the Church to give ability to relieve my 
mind of all that He required, so as to feel quiet and peaceful. 

First day, I attended Oswego meeting. It was small, owing 
to the great division that had taken place ; yet it was owned 
by the great Head of the Church, and we were comforted to- 
gether. From here I went into my old neighborhood, and 
spent most of the week in social visits to my former neighbors 
and relatives. Seventh day evening, I had a meeting east of 
Stanford, at the house of a Friend by the name of Bartlett. 
First day, attended Mne Partners meeting, with the few 
Friends who had survived the rent in that place, and had kept 
together in the truth. Through the continuance of Divine fa- 
vor, we had a comfortable and encouraging time. Third day 
I went to Silas Downing's, in Pleasant Valley, in order to at- 
tend Beakman Monthly Meeting, held at Poughkeepsie, the 
16th of 12th month. It was mnch larger than I expected — a 
solid, comfortable meeting. The business was conducted with 



JOSEPH HOAG. 329 

candor and harmony, and it was pleasant to be with them. 
17th, I attended Nine Partners Monthly Meeting, which was 
small; yet there were several valuable Friends belonging to 
that meeting. I was entirely shut up as to any public labor, 
without material suffering, further than to taste the low strip- 
ped feeling, the faithful had to bear up under. Friends were 
favored at this time with the company of our aged Friend, 
Matthew Ferris, from Oblong, who bore a short testimony that 
was comforting. 

The eighteenth attended the Creek Monthly Meeting, and 
found it larger than I expected. When I came to sit down 
with them, to my comfort, I soon found my spirit mingling 
with the spirits of a number who were travailing under exer- 
cise, of a faithful concern for the cause of Truth and righteous- 
ness. It was a good meeting ; for where there is a faithful rem- 
nant, the Lord will never suffer his standard to fall to the ground. 
Their business was conducted lively, and in good order. 
Seventh day, I attended Stanford Monthly Meeting; it was fa- 
vored ; they conducted their business pretty regularly, and in a 
good degree of harmony. First day, the 20th, attended the 
little meeting at the Plains, where my Master put on the whole 
armor, and Truth went forth victoriously. May it prove a last- 
ing blessing to the people, and honor to the Great Head, of the 
Church, for to Him it is due ! In the evening, I had a meet- 
ing, at the Plains Village, which consisted of a mixed multitude, 
and was much unsettled in the fore part of it. It was trying 
to my feelings to appoint that meeting, and I sat feeling very 
poor in spirit, and much stripped for a length of time, which 
tried my faith, and brought me into a close exercise, fearing I 
bad not done right in making that appointment. After awhile, 
I was favored to get into a quiet, resigned state, and soon felt a 
gentle motion to rise on my feet, accompanied with a clear 
opening. I attended to it, but had to move slowly, and look 
well to my stepping stones, and was favored to experience the 
little stream that only came about the ankles, to become a stream 
to swim in. The meeting became settled, and the people sat 
21 



330 JOURNAL OF 

remarkably still, for some time before I took ray seat, and con- 
tinued quiet until the meeting closed, and I felt a comfortable 
hope through the blessing of a kind Providence, the meeting 
would be of use to them. 

Second day, I went to Nathan Case's, my brother-in-law. 
Third day, I desired to see another brother-in-law. It came 
into my mind to take my own horse and carriage. Nathan 
urged me to let my horse rest, and he would take one of his- 
that was gentle, and go with me. I gave up to him with reluc- 
tance. We had rode but little over a mile, before Ms horse 
took fright going down a long hill, and bounded at such a rate- 
that our lives were in danger. I endeavored to clear myself 
from the wagon as well as I could, but fell on the frozen ground 
and cut one side of my face exceedingly, and it bled freely, and 
I was otherways wounded. When I came to my recollection,. 
I remembered the first impression I felt, to take my own horse, 
now I had to repent being persuaded from it, as I have done in 
many other instances in my life, and left to suffer for it. I was 
confined several days, and had to endure severe pain. I so far 
recovered by first day, that I attended meeting with a very sore 
head ; yet in it had to bear a relieving testimony to my mind. 
I put up with Nathaniel Mead. On second day, I drove to 
Hudson, and lodged at Isaac Hall's, son of John Hall of Eng- 
land — a valuable minister, with whom I became acquainted 
when he was on a religious visit in America in 1801. It was 
truly comforting to meet with his children, finding them to be 
such Friends as I like to be in company with. I staid with 
them on third day, in order to attend an evening meeting in 
Hudson. The meeting was larger than I expected, and proved 
a favored time, though trying in the fore part ; being much; 
stripped in spirit, and under great poverty for a length of time, 
until there was an opening in the clear light, in the appearance 
of a bright star ; accompanied with a gentle motion to arise on 
my feet. In attending to it, the Gospel spring arose to a for- 
cible stream, and through the tender mercy of the Lord to the 
people, it ran clear and free, and settled on the people like the 



JOSEPH HOAG. 331 

dew on the tender herbs. May it rest long on them, and prove 
a blessing to them ! 

The day following, I drove to Stanton Hill — fifteen miles. — 
I had to cross Coxsackie Flats', a number of miles, where the 
mire was equal to anything I ever met with. It took me near- 
ly all day to get to Thomas Bedell's, where I put up the last 
day of the year 1829. The first day of the year 1830, I had a 
large meeting at Coeyman's. The next day at New Baltimore, 
and the day following, had a meeting at Isaac Babcock's, in 
Renselaer, and another in the evening at Rensselarville ; all of 
them large meetings, and several of them were attended by a 
number of Hicksites. In the last, I felt the life and power of 
tbe Gospel to rise higher, and more powerful than I had in all 
this journey before. Ability was given to open and hold forth 
the doctrines of the Gospel, and contrast them with Infidelity, 
with such clearness, that I met with no opposition. The pow- 
er of the Lord so came over the people, that they were quiet in 
every meeting, and closed under a sensible feeling of solemnity. 
It was the Lord's doings. Blessed, forever, be His Name, and 
greatly magnified be His glory ! 

After the last meeting, I went to Middlebury, expecting that 
an appointment was given out at that place ; but when we ar- 
rived, Friends had heard nothing of it, and appointed one for 
the evening. The time being short to give notice, and the 
weather unfavorable, the meeting was small, yet favored and 
comfortable ; but not seeing the people as I expected, I thought 
best to make another appointment, and give time for notice. 
The weather still being unfavorable, this meeting was not large, 
but the presence of the holy Shepherd was felt amongst us. 
Next I went to Oak Hill, and had a meeting in Friend's meet- 
ing-house, on seventh day, which was a considerable gathering, 
and Truth reigned over all. On first day, I met with the few 
who remained with Friends, at Stephen Bull's ; Friends being 
deprived of the meeting-house on the usual days and hours. 
I had a third meeting at the fourth hour in the afternoon, 



332 JOURNAL OF 

about three miles from the meeting-house. It was large, and 
through Divine mercy, a favored, tendering time. 

Second day, we crossed the Highlands for Otsego ; but the 
weather being very cold, I suffered much, and put up several 
miles short of what I intended. Third day, I got in amongst 
Friends, and on fourth clay, I attended their mid-week meeting 
in silence. I also attended Joseph Bowne's meeting that eve- 
ning in the village ; it was large, and Joseph was well harness- 
ed for the occasion, with a lively, appropriate testimony. Fifth 
day, the 14th of 1st month, I went to Oliver Gorton's, in Bur- 
lington, and had a full, favored meeting there ; then went to 
Butternuts, and attended that meeting on first day. Notice 
being given that I w r as to be there, it was large, and the Gos- 
pel spring arose with strength and energy, and flowed freely to 
a mixed multitude. Through the tender mercy of the Lord it 
appeared to settle on the people like the dew on the tender 
grass. May it rest long on them ! 

I then went to Laurens, and had a meeting there on third 
day, which was a large, mixed gathering, and an exercising 
time. Holy help was granted ; strength and utterance were 
given to go through the labor of the day, greatly to the relief 
of my mind, and to the satisfaction of my Friends. I then 
went to Crumhorn, in company with Moses Hoag, where there 
was a small, divided meeting — the few Friends were in low 
spirits ; to whom it was a cordial visit in a needful time, which 
seemed to raise their drooping heads. I was led to show to a 
number of Hicksites present, the want of foundation and proof 
to support the doctrine they held forth, and the great cloud of 
witnesses, there was in favor of the doctrines professed by 
George Fox and his cotemporaries. Truth evidently rose into 
dominion, through the mighty power of the Lord to whom 
may all the praise be given, for evermore ! 

Next I was at meeting, w r hich was small and weak, 

there being too much lukewarmness among them. I had close, 
plain labor with them ; especially on account of their not ta- 
king their children to meeting when small, yet large enough 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 333 

to behave well ; also letting their children run about on first 
days. I was led to show the responsibility that devolved on 
parents towards their children, and the most certain effects that 
follow the neglect of those duties ; such as their leaving our So- 
ciety and running into prodigality, if not into all manner of 
evil ; which some of them acknowledged was already the case. 
O, may the Lord in mercy remember the poor, neglected chil- 
dren. 

We returned to Laurens, and I went to James Brown's, on 
seventh day ; he and Andrew Hoag accompanied me to 
Bridgewater, and put up with Obadiah Williams, who was very 
low in spirits, on account of 'the sad division that had taken 
place in that meeting. He was not willing that any notice 
should be given of our arrival, as he thought it would do no 
good, and that Friends' credit was so low, that nobody would 
come to meeting. However, notice* was given, and there came 
a gathering of respectable looking people, besides Friends, and 
we had a comfortable meeting together, so that our disconso- 
late Friend seemed cheered up, acknowledging the propriety 
of the movement. Second day, we drove to Utica, and put up 
at Zeno Carpenter's. He and his wife not being at home, I 
was disappointed of their company, for I wished to see them. 
I staid one day, and had a meeting in the evening, which was 
pretty full, and consisted of almost every description in that 
part of the land. It was a deeply exercising meeting, yet 
through Divine mercy, holy help was granted to clear my 
mind in a peaceful way. 

After meeting, I had a visit from a Hicksite, who reproved 
me for taking so much time in supporting that Jesus of Nazar- 
eth, who was born of the Virgin Mary, and that He was the 
very Christ, and not a divided Christ. He asserted that the 
body of Christ did nothing for him, and that His blood, shed 
so long ago, he believed was of no more use than another man's. 
I thought best to bring the subject to a point, I replied, " I 
perceive we do not both serve one Christ." He said he be- 
lieved in Christ within as much as I did; but Christ without, 



334 JOURNAL OF 

lie did not believe in. I answered, " I believe in that Jesus 
Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary, and at whose birth 
the Angel of God announced, that in Judea, a child is born, a 
Savior given, which is Christ, the Lord ; and that it was known 
by many, that His spirit was an all-powerful spirit, and very 
clearly bore witness to Him, and to the Scriptures, that they 
were a true revelation of God. I perceived that his Christ was 
never manifest in the flesh, and therefore was anti-Christ ; and 
he always contradicted the revelation of the Christ of God ; he 
did it to our first parents, and told them they should not surely 
die, and of course he made his followers, like himself, con- 
tradictors of the followers of the Lamb of God, and accusers of 
the brethren ; while Christ taught His followers to be patient, 
and endure all things for His and the Gospel's sake." This 
stopped him for awhile, but he resumed the subject, saying, " I 
had not unity with the first part of thy sermon — the last 
of it, I had unity with.*' I pleasantly replied, " It is a fine 
thing that I am not accountable to such a man as thou, but to 
Him who overrules all." He stopped, which gave me an op- 
portunity to clear my mind faithfully, and we parted. 

I then set forward for home, and went by the way of Green- 
field, attending their first day meeting, where it pleased the 
Master of Israel's assemblies, to raise the standard of Truth over 
all opposition, and to silence the gainsaying tongue, to the 
praise of His own name. I passed on to Queensbury, and at- 
tended that Monthly Meeting, and had a little acceptable ser- 
vice therein, and had the satisfaction to see them conduct their 
business in much harmony. I found them not so much re- 
duced by the division as in some other places. Thence I went 
directly home, where I arrived the 7th of second month, 1830, 
and found my own particular family well ; but my mother and 
my youngest brother had died in my absence ; also, an aged 
woman, out of mv own house. 



CHAPTER XII. 

About the middle of 5th month, 1831, having obtained the 
approbation of my Friends, I set ont for the Yearly Meeting to 
be held in Rhode Island. Spring being unusually wet, the 
roads were so mirey, it took me two days to accomplish one 
day's travel. Having broken my wagon, I lay by on seventh 
day, in Montpelier, and repaired ; attended meeting there on 
first day, where a disowned person had undertaken to keep 
possession of the Meeting house, by taking the upper seat in 
the men's room. I felt no freedom to give it up to him, hav- 
ing got there first, I took my usual seat ; several followed. 
When he came, he walked to the upper seat, and made several 
motions for me to give place to him, but not noticing with that 
attention he desired, he stepped into the women's apartment, 
and seated himself at the head of their part of the meeting, 
which put the meeting into a jostle, which it did not get fully 
over, though the latter part of it became measurably setttled. 
Second day, I moved on for Sandwich, in New Hampshire. It 
still being rainy and the roads mirey, it took me two days to 
cross the Mountains. The fatigue was so great, I feared I 
should ruin my horse ; yet we were favored to get through one 
day before Monthly Meeting, which gave an opportunity to 
rest. I attended the Monthly Meeting. There my Master set 
me to digging about some old fruitless fig trees, which ap- 
peared when viewed at a distance, fair and flourishing, but 
when thoroughly inspected, no appearance of fruit could be 
seen. A laborious day to me. The Good Master was pleased 
to grant Holy Help, so that I relieved my mind, and gained 
my penny. The next meeting I attended, was at Wolfsborough, 



336 JOURNAL OF 

on first day, where I was set at pruning and digging about. I 
found it required care and close application, to do the work to 
my Master's acceptance and my comfort. After the close of 
this meeting, my Master gave me the garment of praise for the 
spirit of heaviness. I then went and lodged with Jacob Bean, 
and appointed a meeting among the Baptist inhabitants of that 
place, where the Lord's favor was sensibly felt to solemnize the 
minds of the people. Blessed be His holy name ! 

Thence to David Dows, in Pittsfield, intending to attend 
Salem Quarterly Meeting ; but not being correctly informed, 
I fell behind the time of holding it, which was no small disap- 
pointment to me ; yet I was favored to be resigned to the event, 
without repining or reflecting on my Friends; desiring that 
their care in future may prevent the like taking place again. 

I next went to Henniker, where I had a pretty full meeting, 
which was painfully exercising, under a sense of a worldly spir- 
it with parents, that caused them to neglect their duty to their 
children, in teaching them the principles of Truth and the fear 
of the Lord ; an evil much to be lamented in our Society, and 
hard to be removed by reason of unbelief. This class settle 
down in the form of godliness, and many of them are very zeal- 
ous in the form, but having nothing of the power thereof, are a 
grievous burden to Society ; for when parents feed their chil- 
dren with what they love, and teach them what they admire, 
thus the old Pharisee educated the young to follow his steps, 
and these become a burden to the next generation. The 
mourning women were called on, to teach their daughters 
wailing. 

The following day, I attended Ware North meeting ; it was 
large. Here, infidelity, under the plain coat, stared me in the 
face, with all its attendant evils; into which subject I was 
largely led ; the power of Truth came over this hard-faced gi- 
ant, and cast him down ; the standard of Truth was raised 
above all opposition, to the everlasting honor of the God of the 
just of all generations, who giveth strength to the weak, and 
turneth the battle to the gate. I next attended Ware South 



JOSEPH II0AG. 337 

meeting, which was also large, wherein it appeared that too 
many who had known better days, were settled down at ease 
and the young people going into the air. I had to sound the 
alarm amongst them, to the relief of my mind ; yet I could but 
look over to the young people with a heart impressed with 
sorrow, to see how little help they had from those, who ought 
to have been nursing fathers and mothers. Thence to Salem, 
where I arrived the 4th of 6th month, on seventh day, and 
lodged with Enoch Page. I attended that meeting on first 
day, the 5th, in the forenoon, and Lynn in the afternoon ; both 
were favored, satisfactory meetings. 

I then went direct to Ehode 'Island, to attend the Yearly 
Meeting of New England, which was large. The business was 
conducted in harmony, and favored with the greatest degree of 
solemnity, from beginning to the end, of any Yearly Meeting I 
ever attended, and ended under a humbling, thankful sense of 
the unmerited favor of the Lord, continued to His Church and 
people everywhere. On first day, I attended a meeting on the 
Island, and at Tiverton, in the afternoon, and went to Edward 
Wing's. My youngest son being on a religious visit in those 
parts, without suitable company, I traveled with him a space of 
time. We attended Westport, Dartmouth, Allen's Neck, and 
Smith's Neck meetings, also New Bedford Monthly Meeting. 
The latter was a laborious day to me ; as the public service fell 
mostly on me. After which, we visited New Town and Acush- 
net. In these meetings my son had nearly all the public ser* 
vice, and was favored. 

Seventh day, at night, we arrived at Obadiah Davis', Long 
Plain, and attended that meeting on first day, the 26th. Sec- 
ond day, we went to Rochester, and had a meeting there ; 
thence to Sandwich and Yarmouth. Lindley was favored be- 
yond my expectation, but my mind was shut up, as with a 
close seal ; with many painful exercises to wade through, on 
account of an infidel spirit amongst Friends, secreted under a 
plain coat, and smoothed over by an affected concern and zeal 
for the Truth. Thence to Nantucket Quarterly Meeting, where 



338 JOURNAL OF 

there came in a number of Ministering Friends from different 
parts, one of them from North Carolina. They kept np such a 
stream of preaching, that I saw no way to relieve my mind, and 
gave it up, concluding to stay after the Quarter, and try to get 
an opportunity. As soon as that meeting closed, two Friends 
who had occupied much of the time, went to appointing meet- 
ings in the town, so fast one after another, that I found my 
way closed again, and I give all up, except attending the two 
meetings on first day, in which I relieved my mind in a meas- 
ure. My son left on seventh day. Second day, I was wind- 
bound, but intended to go on board the Packet ; the wind still 
standing ahead on third day, I informed Friends it was on rny 
mind to appoint a meeting at the North meeting-house at five 
in the afternoon. It was readily agreed to. The meeting was 
pretty full, and favored, to the relief of my own mind, and the 
satisfaction of Friends. There had been so much preaching, 
that many Friends had been burdened ; so that, although I had 
been silent through the Quarter,. I had concluded to go off and 
not burden them myself ; but head wind had detained, until I 
yielded to duty and accomplished it. Then, on fourth day 
morning, I went on board the packet, finding nothing in my 
way, and had a pleasant passage to Yarmouth, with the enjoy- 
ment of a peaceful mind. I got there in good season, and 
attended that little meeting on fifth day, and appointed a meet- 
ing on sixth day afternoon, at the same house, which was well 
filled, and it pleased the Great Head of the Church to favor 
with His solemnizing presence ; doctrine flowed freely, and 
Truth arose into dominion. On seventh day, we went to Fal- 
mouth, and attended that meeting on first day, where I was 
enabled to relieve my mind amongst a prudent set of plain 
Friends — prudent for this world, but too much wanting in re- 
ligious weight and Gospel love. Second day, I rode to New 
Bedford, and attended the Monthly Meeting, where I had close 
searching service ; being dipped into a sense of a rending spir- 
it amongst them. I was enabled through Divine mercy to 
clear my mind, so as to enjoy a full reward of peace. I also 



JOSEPH HOAG. 339 

attended the Preparative Meeting of Long Plain, where Friends 
were in a languid state. My mind was dipped into a feeling 
sense and near sympathy with them, and I felt strengthened to 
minister that to them, which my Master gave me, and found 
relief. 

After meeting I returned to New Bedford, and attended their 
Preparative Meeting, where my mind was dipped into a feeling 
sympathy with the suffering seed of Life, and those who suffered 
patiently with it. A little portion was given me from my Master 
for them, which I cheerfully handed to them ; but not feeling clear, I 
had to labor plainly with those, who in a fiery zeal wanted to drive 
furiously. It was painful labor, but I obtained a rich reward. 
After meeting, I returned to my friend, Francis Taber's, where I 
made my home, and after dining with his brother, I journeyed 

to Fall River, and put up with S Chase, the 2 2d of 7th 

month. The day following, I had a meeting there, which was 
more comfortable than in some other places ; as Friends ap- 
peared to live peaceably with themselves and their neighbors. 
Then I went to Providence on seventh day, and on first day, 
attended their morning and afternoon meetings ; where there 
was much more correct outward acquired knowledge, than in- 
ward vital experience of true religion. To me it was an exer- 
cising time, but I was enabled to relieve my mind, and felt 
quiet. The night following, I lodged in Friend's Seminary in 
Providence ; where, if it was not for the high exalted feeling 
and aim of the planters of that institution, and something of 
the same disposition in the managers, it might be a blessing to 
our Society. 

Thence I went to Lynn, and I attended their meeting on 
fourth day, and fifth day at Salem. In both I was comforted 
in being made sensible that there was a goodly remnant, who 
were honestly laboring to be what they ought ; yet they were 
not all Israel who were of Israel in them. After meeting at 
Salem, I attended a funeral near Marblehead, of a young man 
whose mother was a Friend, but his father was not. The 
young man went out of the world in great distress, both of 



340 JOURNAL OF 

body and mind. It was a solemn time. On sixth day, I went 
to Seabrook, and put up with my cousin Benjamin Dow, where 
I was received with great kindness and affection. I lay by on 
seventh day, and had notice given of my intending to be at 
meeting on first day. The meeting was a full one — a mixed 
people ; the doctrines of Truth went forth in its own authority, 
and prevailed over all opposition ; I hope to the honor of the 
Great Head of the Church, who is worthy of the praise of all 
His works. At five in the afternoon, I had a meeting at Ams- 
bury, where were a large number not of our Society — a goodly 
looking people. The doctrine of the Gospel dropped as the 
dew, and distilled as the rain, and appeared to settle on the 
people. Blessed be the God of all grace, for the continuation 
of His mercy in visiting the people. May the favor rest long 
upon them, as the dew upon the tender grass ! 

Fifth day following, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Sea- 
brook, and found it in a low state, as to the pure life of the 
Gospel— ^but little more than the form — the well concerned 
amongst them were almost ready to give up. I labored 
amongst them, in that strength my Master furnished with, but 
it seemed almost like beating the wind. The next meeting I 
attended, was appointed by my son Lindley, amongst the Bap- 
tists ; he was much favored. I passed the meeting in peaceful 
poverty. I then went to Epping, and attended their morning 
and afternoon meetino's. In both of them I was enabled to 

o 

clear my mind fully, to the relief of it. Second day, I had a 
meeting at Lee, at five o'clock in the afternoon, where, after a 
time of deep poverty and strippedness, the Gospel spring open- 
ed and arose in the clearness, and its doctrines flowed freely ; 
Truth had the victory. Blessed be the God of Truth ! 

After meeting, with a pilot I drove to Dover, and third day 
morning, went to Meaderboro'. Thence, with Ezekiel Jones 
for company, I went to New Durham, where I had a meeting, 
and returned to Meaderboro', and attended their Preparative 
Meeting. The day following, we had a meeting at Chestnut 
Hill, and drove to South Durham, where we had a meeting on 



JOSEPH HOAG. 341 

seventh day. Most of these meetings were very small, owing 
to the younger class going to other parts of the country to live ; 
the aged ones died off; some leaving Friends, and a want of 
zeal in most of them ; so that it leaves a gloomy prospect. 
Yet through the goodness of kind Providence, I was enabled 
so to clear my mind in the ability given, in this part of the 
country, as to enjoy a peaceful mind. Blessed be His name 
forever ! 

We then went to Dover, and attended that meeting on first 
day. It was large, and laborious for me. In the afternoon we 
attended a funeral, held at Friends' meeting-bouse, which was 
also' large — a mixed multitude in both meetings ; so that the 
labor of the day was deeply exercising, and truly humbling, as 
the Lord doth not require any service of His servants, until He 
gives them to understand what the sendee is ; and when obe- 
dience of faith is kept to, He richly rewards them with heaven- 
ly peace. Thanks, honor, and praise be ascribed unto Him, 
and the Lamb, forevermore, saith my soul ! 

Second day, the 15th of 8th month, I returned with Ezekiel 
Jones to Amsbury. He had been with me the week past, and 
was pleasant company. I next attended Salem Quarterly Meet- 
ing, held at Lynn; to me a painful, exercising meeting ; yet 
the Lord's Divine mercy was good, as he gave ability and ut- 
terance to discharge the duty He required of me, and richly 
rewarded with heavenly peace. Then returned to New Dur- 
ham, and attended that and Chestnut Hill, Meaderboro' and 
Lower Rochester meetings, and returned to Dover and attend- 
ed their meeting on first day, and a funeral in the afternoon. 
In both I had laborious testimonies to bear, was favored to 
feel greatly relieved and comforted, and proceeded to Berwick 
to attend Dover Quarterly Meeting held there. The public 
service mostly fell on me, in a close plain way, wdrich gave re- 
lief. I then went to Kittery, where there had once been a 
considerable meeting of Friends, now nearly run out. We had 
a pretty full meeting ; and ended much to my satisfaction. 
First day, attended meeting at Berwick, where I had close 



342 JOURNAL OF 

searching service, but through Divine favor was enabled to 
clear my mind, and felt relieved. In the afternoon I attended 
an appointed meeting at the Great Falls which was large. 
The service was principally allotted to my son, Lindley. He 
being young it tried his feelings pretty closely, yet I believe all 
was right ; preachers have need to learn as well as teach. 
From this I proceeded to Falmouth Quarterly Meeting. In 
the meeting of Ministers and Elders, I felt a necessity to deal 
plainly and honestly. I hope it will do good. The following 
meeting, the service fell almost entirely on Lindley ; he was 
much favored ; Truth reigned to the honor of the head of the 
Church. Sixth day, I had a meeting at Pownell ; which 
though not large, was favored — the minds of some were com- 
forted. On first day, I attended a large meeting at Durham, 
where I was not altogether satisfied with myself, not keeping- 
enough in the patience and simplicity. 

Second day, I went twenty miles to Gardner, and put up 
with Xoah Ferris, and had a small meeting in the town, at five 
in the afternoon, to good satisfaction. The day following, I 
attended the Monthly Meeting, at East Pond, where I had 
close, searching service, which made some stir amongst Friends ; 
yet I felt great peace. I next attended Fairfield Monthly 
Meeting, where I was silent. Three or four of the leaders from 
the other Monthly Meeting came, I thought, as spies. I had 
nothing for them. Then we went to Comville, and had a 
meeting on the East Ridge, having Israel Goddard and Phebe 
Cobb, for company. The day following, we had a meeting at 
Athens Village. On first day, at Robert "vVentwortrTs. Also, 
one at five o'clock at Braton Tillage, both of them to good sat- 
isfaction. Thence went to Sandersfield, and had a meeting. 
Then went to Sebec, and had a meeting. Thence to Sirena, and 
lodged at John Burton's, a Friend, and had a good satisfactory 
meeting in the neighborhood, which was the case in several of 
the last mentioned meetings, there being great openness in the 
minds of the people, to hear. The Lord favored with suitable 
matter and free utterance, and richly rewarded with peace. 



JOSEPH HOAG. 343 

Blessed be His high and holy name ! We then rode to St. 
Albans, and put up with Samuel Beals, seventh day, 24th of 
9th month. On first day we attended their meeting, which 
was large and much favored. At evening, we had a large 
meeting at Newport, which was laborious, but w^ell. Second 
day, we rode twenty miles, and had a meeting at evening in 
Friends' meeting-house at Brooks. It was not large, but a fa- 
vored time. We lodged at Doctor Roberts'. Third day, we 
rode to Unity. Fourth day, attended their meeting in course. 
Thence Albion, Hope and Bremans, and had a meeting in each 
place, and were favored to the enjoyment of peaceful minds. 
Second day, we rode to Winsof, where we stopped and had a 
meeting among the Methodists, to the satisfaction of the peo- 
ple. Fourth day, we attended the River meeting. Fifth day, 
we attended meeting at Vassalborough, where I had close, 
plain service in good authority, which made its way through 
all opposition. Sixth day, we were at Sidney Meeting, where 
my sufferings were unusually painful a length of time, when 
way opened to clear my mind, in a plain way to its relief. Sev- 
enth day, we had a meeting at Belgrade ; Gospel life rose into 
dominion, and its doctrines flowed freely. On first day, the 
9th of 10th month, we attended Winthrop meeting. It being 
■a very rainy day, the meeting was small ; a comely number of 
y r oung people attended, to whom tender counsel flowed freely. 
After meeting we went to Elijah Pope's ; were there detained 
by a great fall of rain. On fourth day, we attended Litchfield 
meeting. Truth opened the way, and gave ability to clear my 
mind, in a close, searching testimony, which gave relief. Fifth 
day, we journeyed to New Sharon, over a very hilly country, 
and lodged. 

Sixth day we had a trying meeting there, in the exercise of 
close, plain testimony. After meeting, we drove to Wilton, 
and had a meeting there on seventh day, which was troubled 
with an impostor who took up considerable time in preaching, 
tending to the unsettlement of the meeting, so that I was fear- 
ful it would be spoiled ; yet, through Divine mercy, Truth rose 



344 JOURNAL OF 

in a powerful manner over all opposition. The meeting ended 
under a quiet solemnity, to the satisfaction of the people. We 
returned the same day to New Sharon ; had a meeting there. 
Passed on to Fairfield, and attended a large favored meeting on 
first day. After it, we drove to John Cock's, about twenty 
miles. Second day, we attended the Preparative Meeting of 
Ministers and Elders, at Unity, where it fell to my lot, to com- 
municate some plain truths. The day following, attended their 
Monthly Meeting, which was the most solemn, favored meeting 
that I have attended in this part of the land. 

The next day, I attended the Monthly Meeting at Yassalbor- 
ough. It was large and favored. In the evening attended a 
meeting appointed by J. J. TV., at Hallowel Forks, in a school 
house ; a full meeting, wherein the doctrines of truth flowed 
freely and appeared to settle on the minds of the people, as 
dew on the tender grass. On 5th day, I attended Sidney 
Monthly Meeting. It appeared to be a low time with Friends, 
owing much to the want of true Gospel love, and a right zeal. 
Their business was managed dull ; yet the Gospel spring flow- 
ed in strength, and arose in dominion. Sixth day, I attended 
Leeds Monthly Meeting held at Winthrop, where the business 
was also conducted without much energy. In both the last 
meetings, I enjoyed myself in peaceful silence, and was com- 
forted in partaking of a share of the reward of those who labor- 
ed. On seventh day, I had a meeting in the town of Hallo well, 
amongst a high feeling people, where through unmerited mer- 
cy, strength was given to deliver the truth, in such Gospel au- 
thority the people became settled ; the meeting ended quietly. 
We next went to Leeds, and attended that meeting on first day. 
I was silent, and well satisfied with it. Second day, I attended 
the Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at Durham. 
Third day, the Monthly Meeting, a laborious time with me, in 
clearing my mind to the relief of it. Fourth day, I attended 
Falmouth Preparative Meeting of Ministers and Elders, where 
I had to communicate some plain remarks. Fifth day, I attend- 
ed the Monthly Meeting, where I was greatly enlarged, to the 



JOSEPH HOAG. 345 

relief of my own mind, and it appeared to the satisfaction of 
my Friends. Sixth day, I had a meeting on Cape Elizabeth, 
where an approved minister amongst Friends had turned Hick- 
site, in consequence of which, several were jostled in mind, and 
some became more slack in attending meetings, so that the meet- 
ing, which was not large before, became very small and some- 
what languid, but through unmerited mercy, it pleased the 
Head of the Church to speak comfortably, to those who remain- 
ed alive among them, to hold fast that which they already had 
and let no one draw them off from the Truth. Seventh day, in 
company w T ith Samuel Hussey and wife, I made a social visit to 
all the families of Friends, .and 'returned to Portland that night. 
On first day, I attended their fore and afternoon meetings, 
where the Gospel spring arose in strength, flowed freely, and 
went forth in its own authority over all opposing spirits, I hope 
to the glory of God. Strength and utterance were given to 
hold up the standard of Truth, and the ensign of righteousness 
to the people. Second day, I lay by in Portland, the Quarter- 
ly Meeting being near at hand. 

Third day, I went to Durham, and on fourth day attended 
the meeting of Ministers and Elders, and on fifth day the Quar- 
terly Meeting at large. Both were favored meetings. Under 
a sense thereof, many minds were humbled and contrited in 
consideration of the tender mercy of the Lord, who doth not 
limit His mercies to our worthiness. Seventh day, I had a 
meeting at Humphrey Purinton's, in Bath, the fore part of the 
day ; in the afternoon I had another in the Village of Bath. 
First day, I had a meeting at Brunswick. Second day, I had 

one in Bowdoinham, and then went to John Perry's, at B 

and had a favored meeting in that neighborhood. The next 
day I had a meeting in Lisbon Village, where my labors were 
deeply exercising, on account of the careless, unconcerned state 
the minds of the people were in ; which appeared to be the 
general state in most of the meetings in this town. Though 
my mind has been depressed for several days past, under a 
sense of my own weakness, and the painful labor I had to pass 



346 JOURNAL OF 

through, from day to day, yet through all, my good and heav- 
enly Master, has been my only helper, furnishing with matter, 
strength, and utterance, which enabled me to clear my mind 
from day to day, and obtain comforting peace. Blessed be His 
ever adorable name ! 

On fifth day, I rode to Lewistown, and put up with Amos 
Davis. Israel Jones accompanied me, who, with his brother, 
Thomas, had been agreeably with me for several days ; the lat- 
ter having returned home. Seventh day, I went to Windham, 
and attended that meeting on first day, which was very large 
and solemn. Through Divine help, the testimony of Truth 
was set forth in Gospel authority. Second day, I rode to Po- 
land, and had a comfortable meeting there in the afternoon. 
Fourth day, I went to Norway, and had a small meeting. A 
company of rude young people came to it, and kept it unset- 
tled. Near the close, I believed it right to address them, and 
let them know my thoughts of their conduct, in relation to 
their owm credit, and the reproach it cast on their parents who 
brought them up ; as also their irreverence to their Creator. 
This stilled them, and some of them looked ashamed. 

On fifth day, the 6th of the month, I went to Raymond, and 
had a meeting there next day, in w T hich I w r as enabled to clear 
my mind to good satisfaction. From thence, I returned to 
Portland, and attended their fore and afternoon meetings on 
First day, which were painfully exercising, and I had to deal 
plainly, which gave a comfortable enjoyment of sw r eet peace. 
Second day, I returned to Raymond, and had another meeting 
there on third day. I had to sound the alarm, and show the danger 
of being deceived by the subtle serpent, and his transformings 
in the appearance of an angel oi light ; and was led to set forth 
how he might be known and detected, greatly to the relief and 
refreshment of my mind. 

I returned to Windham on fourth day, and had a meeting 
at Gorham, which was not large, but a suffering time. It ap- 
peared that heart-felt sickness was among them ; I cleared my 
mind, and felt a peaceful quiet. Sixth day, I attended Wind- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 347 

ham Monthly Meeting, held at Limington. After suffering in 
deep poverty and stripped n ess of spirit, the Gospel spring rose 
high and flowed freely ; though much weakness was felt, the 
Lord favored with a renewed visitation to the comforting of the 
honest-hearted, and a solemn warning to those at ease, who 
choose their own ways, and despise the cross of Christ. 

Seventh day, the 26th of 11th month, I went to Parsonsfield, 
and lodged with Charles Cartland, when feeling my mind clear 
of that part of the country, I went to Winter Harbor, and had 
a small meeting there. The snow coming on, made it difficult 
traveling on wheels, so I went direct to Berwick, and put up 
with my children, John- and Elizabeth Meader, for several 
weeks. While there, I attended that meeting several times, 
and Dover twice, and had a meeting on Dover N"eck. In all 
these meetings, my good Master was pleased to furnish with, 
appropriate matter, ability and utterance to relieve my mind, 
and obtain the reward of peace ; being mercifully supported 
in all the exercises, though they were painful and laborious. 
A fig-leaf covering was too much resorted to by many, wdiich 
often caused mourning with the few upright-hearted amongst 
them. May the Lord sustain these, that the ensign of right- 
eousness may not fall in the streets ! 

After making these visits, feeling my mind drawn to visit 
Pittsfield, Weare, and Henniker, a kind Friend, Joseph Bracket, 
took his sleigh, and carried me this short tour. We attended 
Pittsfield meeting on first day, but the weather being stormy, 
the meeting was very small. Xot feeling .clear, I proposed 
meeting with Friends ao*ain on second day, which was agreed 
to, and notice given, but the second meeting was very little 
larger than the first; some whole families not attending. 
Having done all I could, I felt clear, and had two meetings in 
that part of the country, out from the settlement of Friends, 
much to my satisfaction. There was more openness amongst 
them, than w-ith nominal professors of my own Society. We 
then went to Weare Xorth. Meetino- on first day, at the usual 
time, and at the South Meeting at three o'clock ; both were 



848 JOURNAL OF 

well attended. The word of Truth went forth in its own au- 
thority and its standard was over the heads of transgressors, by 
and through the power of the mighty God of Jacob. Blessed 
be His ever adorable name ! 

On second day, I had a meeting at Henniker, where I passed 
through great depression of spirit, under a sense of the want 
of faithfulness in many professing with us, who, instead of being 
lights and encouragers of others, were stumbling blocks in their 
way. I was enabled faithfully to bear the testimony my good 
Master gave me, to my relief and peace. After meeting, I went 
to my cousin, "Winthrop Dow's where I was on the 10th of 1st 
month, 1832. I next attended "Weare Monthly Meeting, wherein 
I had close, painful, and exercising labor; and the day follow- 
ing, I went to Concord, and had a meeting in Friends' meeting 
house, which was large, and favored with a renewed visitation 
from on high. May the people gratefully prize the favor ! 

I then returned to Berwick. Next I went to Seabrook, and 
attended Salem Quarterly Meeting, where I had to preach plain, 
solemn truths ; then re turned to Berwick, andattended that meet- 
ing on first day, and a meeting in the evening at the Great Falls, 
which was well attended, and a favored time. Thence I went to 
Sandwich, N. H., and attended that Quarterly Meeting. That for 
worship was a renewed visitation to the inhabitants thereaway. 
Oh, that it maybe wisely improved ! The meeting for business 
ness was very dull, taking a long time to transact a little business. 

I then went again to Pittsfield, and attended their Monthly 
Meeting, and was enabled to clear my mind so fully, that I 
hope my Master will not send me there again, but bless the 
labors already bestowed. I then set out in a sleigh for Smith- 
field, but the snow going off, I was stopped at Edward Goves', 
in Seabrook. The 4th of 2d month, in the evening, I had a 
meeting with those not of our Society ; the doctrines of Truth 
were well received and acknowledged. On first day, I attended 
Seabrook meeting, which was very small. The life of pure relig- 
ion was very low, and were it not for a few honest-hearted ones 
I think that meeting would cease to be. May the Lord strength- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 349 

en the hands of the few, to hold up the standard of righteous- 
ness to beholding enquirers, to the honor of His own Name ! 

I next went to Lynn, and attended that Monthly Meeting — 
a suffering time to me. I next journeyed to Providence, and 
attended the morning meeting in the town — a dry, suffering 
time to me. In the afternoon I attended meeting at the School, 
which was a favored time, wherein I felt my mind above the 
depression of spirit I had waded under for days, and was mar- 
velously enabled, both in public and private, to clear my mind 
of a concern that had arrested it, until it became a heavy bur- 
den. He who promised to go before His sheep that He put 
forth, made a way for me, beyond my expectation, and my la- 
bors were received without any apparent offense, though they 
were plain and close. I felt fully relieved, and made to rejoice 
with thankfulness to my Lord and Master, for His direction 
and holy help, through this portion of exercising service. 

I then went to South Smithfield, and attended a meeting 
there, which was not large, but favored, and the minds of the 
people appeared open to hear the Truth. The day following, 
I was at a meeting at Cumberland, where there was not such 
openness as at the former, which made the labor more painful, 
but my mind was strengthened to discharge my duty. I then 
rode to Mendon, and attended their Preparative Meeting ; it 
was small, and I had good service ; yet, not feeling clear, I had 
a meeting appointed at three in the afternoon, which was pretty 
full and favored, and the testimony of Truth rose into dominion. 
The day following, I attended Smithfield North Meeting, a 
large and deeply exercising one, there being great want of a 
true religious concern amongst the people ; although it w 7 as a 
laborious day, I was favored to feel a peaceful mind. The next 
meeting was at TJxbridge, wdiere we had a searching time, and 
the testimony of Truth went forth in its own authority, and reign- 
ed over all for that time. In the evening I had a meeting in a 
school house near Jacob Aldrich's, to my satisfaction ; the tes- 
timony of Truth went forth in clearness, accompanied with 
tendering Gospel authority, and closed solemnly. 



350 JOURNAL OF 

On the 11th, I was at Douglas — a meeting much run down. 
The 12th, I was at North Bridge, a pretty full, favored meeting. 
Thence to North Mendon ; the meeting was considerably full. 
The testimony of Truth went forth in clearness, and good au- 
thority, to full satisfaction to my own mind. The next was 
Bolton Monthly Meeting, attended by many not of our Society. 
The truths of the Gospel were largely opened, and appeared to 
settle with weight on the minds of the people. I next attended 
Eichmond, where there were more in number, than there were 
Friends. I was led to show the difference between the Gospel 
and its effects, and the inventions and wisdom of men, in the 
great cause of religion ; and to contrast them in a clear point of 
view. The testimony of Truth was in dominion, and the spirit 
of oppression gave way. 

I proceeded to Unity, where there was a pretty full gather- 
ing of Friends and others, and much openness in the minds of 
the people. Truth flowed freely, to the comfort of the honest- 
hearted. I then passed on to Pittsfield again, and attended 
that meeting once more, and was mercifully enabled to bear a 
close, searching testimony, greatly to the relief of my troubled 
mind. 

Having discharged my duty to some individuals, I felt clear 
to take my departure, and journeyed to Gilmantown, where I 
had a pretty full, favored meeting, which ended to good satis- 
faction. At evening I attended a meeting appointed by Abi- 
gal Miller ; the first time that I had an opportunity to hear her, 
except a few words, and to my satisfaction, found she was an 
able Gospel minister. The day following, sixth day, the 10th 
of 3d month, I went to Wolfsborough. 

[No further narrative of this journey is given, and at what time he ar- 
rived at his own home, is not certainly ascertained ; yet, it is believed not 
to be long after the close of his narrative at Wolfsborough, then one hun- 
dred and fifty miles from home. 

The following extracts from a letter written to his wife and children 
about the middle of his last visit to New England, will be familiar to 
those who have been acquainted with him in conversation ; from the 
manner of style and expression.] 



JOSEPH HOAG. 351 

"Portland, 24th of 10th month, 1831. 
Beloved Wife and Children : — I take my pen once more 
to address you, with making this apology, that I have put off 
writing in hopes I should find myself at liberty to come home. 
But seeing no time for my release, I feel best, to inform that I 
am in good health, and have been, by far the most of the time, 
since I left home — a favor that calls for humble gratitude, and 
a thankful heart to the Giver of the biessing ; not only for this, 
but in that He has enabled me in a marvelous manner, to per- 
form all that He hath required of me, since I left Rhode Island. 
From there I passed on, taking meetings in course, until I got 
to New Bedford, where I 'found satan had got into the high 
bench, where he sat himself as God, and had made such a rent, 
as almost to destroy harmony and unity, through one Quarter- 
ly Meeting, and to draw down several stars of magnitude, that 
once shone brilliantly. The escaped remnant lay low, al- 
most buried under discouragement ; that this part of my travel 
was in a land of sorrow to me, in beholding the breaches in the 
wall, and the desolation in the city. My inner garment was 
that of mourning, from day to day. From thence I put on for 
Lynn, where I met a troop of archers, with their bows all bent 
— the horse and his rider, all in battle array. But my Master 
made my arm strong to handle the bow, and He directing the 
arrow, it never missed so that the battle was turned to the 
gate, and the prison doors were ordered open by the King, and 
the captive daughter was set free, to the honor of the King's 
name, I hope. From here I passed on, until I got to Berwick, 
where I found old satan working like fire in the roots of the 
trees, under ground, so as to be sure to kill all the green tim- 
ber, and not be seen to blaze, lest it should be put out. His 
fire-bed got exposed and his head bruised ; the people were 
warned to watch his moves. From thence I passed pretty 
smooth, until I came to Vasselborough, where I attended their 
Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and Elders, a goodly appearing 
band, I was pleased with the sight. But my Master came and 
annointed my eyes, and bade me look with a single eye. When 



352 JOURNAL OF 

I fixed my eye intent, and the light shown clear, behold I saw 
satan in the midst, dressed up in an Elder's suit, from head to 
foot. My Master caused me to see that satan was very busy 
in raising a zeal that would tread to death every seed that He, 
the Lord, had planted, if not checked, and bid me pitch battle 
with him, and put a sword into my hand for that purpose. 
And when I came to try it I found it was a wieldy sword, 
that had a sharp edge ; and every blow cut so that the enemy 
squirmed every way he could, so that he exposed himself and 
got detected, and a mess of bars and bolts taken from him. 
And it w r as found that he had one of my Master's children, 
summoned, and was endeavoring to handcuff, and fetter him, 
and cast him into prison for life. But the poor child was res- 
cued, taken from him, and it is the King's mind that he should 
be set at liberty. I have since visited all the meetings in that 
Quarter, In many of them my Master tuned my ram's horn, 
so that many of their walls gave way before it. In other pla- 
ces He gave me the pipe and harp, to ehear the heavy hearted. 
I have got through this tour, and well entered into Falmouth 
Quarter. I have visited Weare and all those parts, and found 
our Society in a pitiful state ; of course my labors were heart- 
aching, and wearing every way. *'•■*•.* 
My Fiiends take good care of me, as to all I need to keep me 
comfortable. * * * * * 
I can give no opinion about coming home, having already been 
disappointed, in having double the ground to travel over, that 
I expected to, when I left home, and am not yet favored to see 
when I may return ; though I think my stay here will be long- 
er on Lindley's account. There is as much need of my being 
in this part of the country on his account, as there was at 
Ehode Island ; and whether I shall not have to stay until he is 
ready to return, is unknown to me. * * * 
I now take my pen, the 25th, to close this detail, with giv- 
ing a general view ot the state of our Society, as it appears to 
me, in this part of the land. The first disorder appears to be 
spiritual pride, out of which grows jealousy, and a tormenting 



JOSEPH HOAG, 353 

fear that anything should rise as high as Master Pride's shoul- 
ders. In order to prevent the rise, let the seed be ever so good 
in its kind and the plant grow in ever so good and beau- 
tiful order, Master Pride fixes the more an eagle eye 
upon it, and in the appearance of a dove, will coo about it, 
in order to set its talons under its roots and destroy them, so 
that the plant must die. If it cannot prevail this way, it will 
turn into a serpent, and creep under the grass and weeds — buz- 
zes in the ears of its own kind, and starts their fears. Then it 
is to draw in the better hearted, and raise a strong zeal. When 
this is fixed, the tongue of slander blows it into a flame. In 
this kind of toss and fuss, ups and downs, satan hath walked in 
this land, until he hath abundantly marred the beauty of our 
Society, and deeply wounded the pure in heart. * * 

I now take my pen to close this, the 4th of 11th month, at 
the house of Thomas Jones, a ministering Friend, who has been 
at our house. Yesterday I attended the Quarterly Meeting, 
which was large, and much favored ; and though much weak- 
ness appeared in their accounts, their business was conducted 
in harmony, I may now inform you, that in my hours of in- 
termission, I often find myself at home looking round among 
you, feeling anxious for you. The language runs through my 
mind, ' Here I am in a strange land, wearing out the last of 
my strength, oft in heart- aching labor ; and how is it with my 
Friends at home ? ' A heavy-hearted feeling returns upon my 
spirit. I do not write this, as having any doubt of being in 
my right place, for I am abundantly confirmed that I am. I 
have often thought of thee, my son Nathan, when in different 
parts of this land. I now draw to a close, desiring, fervently 
desiring your faithful standing in the Truth, and prosperity 
therein. Give my love to all my children, relatives, and en- 
quiring Friends. You may rest assured that I never felt great- 
er desires for the peaceful welfare of my own country, than at 
this time, Farewell, Joseph Hoag." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

On the 21st of 11th month, 1832, having obtained the uni- 
ty of my Friends, I set out to perform a religious visit to 
Friends in Upper Canada, and some parts of Farmington Quar- 
terly Meeting, and to attend the approaching Yearly Meeting, 
of Philadelphia, and visit some meetings in its vicinity. "We 
traveled several days before we stopped to have a meeting ; 
the first being at the town of Chateauguay, an assembly of 
bright countenanced people, who appeared fixed in a choice of 
a popular religion, so that though the doctrines of the Gospel 
flowed freely and lively, it appeared to make but little en- 
trance. I parted, feeling much good will for them, with a re- 
lieved, peaceful mind. We traveled two days more before get- 
ting to Friends' settlement at Indian River, now called New 
Philadelphia, where I was delayed a day, on account of the 
Hicksites having possession of the house. The meeting was 
held on sixth day, when Friends generally attended, and a few 
of the neighbors. I was in hopes, as there had been a heavy 
shaking, and a number had gone off, to have found them in a 
humble quiet, encircled with Gospel love, and bound together 
in the unity of the Spirit, but it was sorrowfully otherwise. 
The old serpent had got among them, and sowed the seeds of 
jealousy, which had taken deep root, and the fire had broken 
out, to the great grief of the upright among them. Being con- 
strained in Gospel love to be faithful to my Lord's command, 
though with an aching heart for the people, my labors were 
painful, pointed, and close ; and I was favored with the re- 
ward of sweet peace for obedience. I have always found my 
good Master a rich reward er for faithfulness, and a sure sup- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 355 

porter in every trial, if fully confided in. Blessed, and forever 
adored be His holy name ! 

From this place we went to Le Ray, and broke down our 
carriage on the way, which detained us on our journey to get 
it repaired ; but a Friend took us through in a sleigh, in time 
to have notice given. The meeting was large, including a 
small band of lively spirited Friends, who were helpers in the 
field of labor* being disposed to stay the hands from dropping, 
while the rod of God was lifted up. The battle was turned to 
the gate and the Truth reigned. May the Lord bless that day 
of favor to the people ! After our repairs were finished, we 
proceeded to Oak Point, on the River St. Lawrence, where an 
aged Friend and his wife lived, remote from any meeting of 
Friends. We stopped and appointed a meeting the next day. 
Many came in, all anxious to hear, which caused the meeting for 
sometime to remain unsettled, but sitting in solemn travail of 
spirit, I felt the word of Truth to arise in Gospel authority. 
In attending thereto I felt strength to increase, and ability giv- 
en to hold forth the truths of the Gospel, in a clear, plain 
manner, easy to be understood, which appeared to settle upon 
them as the dew. Their countenances became grave, and some 
of them tendered. In this state, the meeting closed, much to 
my satisfaction. I felt great tenderness for them, remember- 
ing that though Paul might plant and Apollos water, yet it was 
God only who could give the increase ; here I felt easy to leave 
them. 

The day following, we crossed the river to the British side, 
and went to a small settlement of Friends in the county of 
Leeds, where we arrived the 6th of 12th month. On 
sixth day, Yth of 12th month we had a meeting with 
Friends and others; found the state of society low ; too 
too many at ease ; were it not for a few faithful ones 
among them, .who labor under much discouragement, the testi- 
mony of of Truth must fall. I was enabled to relieve my mind. 
Not being able to get a pilot to go forward, we lay by, seventh 
day, and had notice given. The meeting on first day was 



356 JOURNAL OF 

large ; the doctrines of the Gospel flowed freely, and went forth 
in good authority. Truth rose into dominion. Blessed be the 
name of the Lord. Second day, we started for Kingston, and 
on third day we got to the widow Ferris'. Fourth day, at eve- 
ning, we had a meeting in Kingston. Next day, at Waterloo. 
Sixth day, we passed on for Adolphus town, and were with 
Friends on first day, the 16th. All three of those meetings 
were small ; two of them reduced by the disorganizing spirit 
that hath prevailed. Yet, amid all this stripping there was 
comfort felt in finding at every place, there were those who 
stood faithfully concerned to maintain the testimonies of Truth ; 
and the Lord was not only pleased to sustain, but often times 
to meet with them in their assemblies; to strengthen and 
sweetly comfort them. From Adolphus we went to West 
Lake, and had an appointed meeting there before the Monthly 
Meeting came on ; it was a large, solid, favored meeting. The 
day following, we had a meeting at Hilyard, where, after, sit- 
ting in much poverty of spirit, a living spring in Gospel love 
was felt to arise, and in carefully attending to it, it increased to 
a lively stream, and plentifully watered the garden. 

We returned and attended the Monthly Meeting at West 
Lake, where it was my lot to feel my mind depressed, and 
stripped of all lively feelings for awhile ; but sitting in resigna- 
tion to my lot, and gathering into stillness, I was favored to 
feel, though very small, the gentle arising of Gospel life, and 
attending thereto in deep humillity and simplicity, it became a 
river, not only to the ankles, but to the waist, and a river to 
swim in. The service of the day appeared to settle on the as- 
sembly as the dew on the tender grass, and distil as the rain, 
to the tendering of many minds. The business was conducted 
pretty regularly. Thence we went to Cold Creek, and put up 
at the widow TerrilPs. The next day attended meeting in that 
place ; it was a suffering time until Truth arose, and gathered 
the minds of the people into a solemn quiet. 

The next place we stopped at was Haldimand, where we 
had a meeting with the few Friends and their neighbors, where 



JOSEPH HOAG. 357 

the Gospel spring flowed lively, to the tendering of many 
minds. May it rest long on them. The meeting closed great- 
ly to my satisfaction. The 25th of 12th month, we went for- 
ward to Pickering, where the meeting had been greatly shat- 
tered ; some of the few Friends who kept to our ancient prin- 
ciples felt as though they had done so nicely, that they ap- 
peared in imminent danger of settling down at ease, to their 
own hurt, while others appeared pretty well concerned to keep 
their ranks in the Truth. My labors in this meeting w r ere ar- 
duous and searching. The following day, we had a meeting at 
Tlxbridge, where, for want of a true watchful concern, the life 
of religion was very low. We pr6ceeded to Whitchurch, where 
there appeared to be a little band of well concerned Friends, 
who were kept out of their meeting-house by the Hicksites, and 
had to meet in an old school-house ; but the Great Head of the 
Church was pleased to meet with us, to our comfort. 

We next went to Yonge street, where we fell in company 
with Jacob Green, from Ireland — a goodly Friend, and edify- 
ing Minister. On sixth day, the 4th of 1st month, 1833, we 
went to Tecumseh, a small meeting and settlement of mostly 
youngerly Friends, with whom we had a meeting on seventh 
day. It was a comforting time; the Holy presence of the 
Great Head of the Church being sensibly felt amongst us. 
Blessed be His name ! After meeting we returned to Yonge 
street, and attended their meeting on first day ; it w^as large 
and the fore part was dull, and a deeply suffering time ; but as 
resignation was kept to, the Master of Israel's assemblies an- 
nointed with the influence of holy strength, the word of Truth 
w r ent forth in Gospel authority, and reigned over all, to the 
tendering of many minds. May the Lord bless the favor of the 
day, to the everlasting good of the people ! 

On second day, being fatigued, I lay by to rest. Third day, 
we had a meeting at a small village called Beverly, a larger 
collection than I expected. The word of Truth flowed freely, 
attended with that solemn weight, that it appeared to rest on 
the minds of the people, like the dew on the tender grass. 



358 JOURNAL OF 

May the Lord render the favor of His visitation, a blessing to 
that people, for many days yet to come ! 

Fourth clay, we were at Asa Rogers'. Fifth day, I attended 
their Preparative Meeting, in which I was enabled to relieve 
my mind, and felt clear. Sixth day, we took our departure for 
the Half Year's Meeting, near Wejst Lake. We stopped at 
Whitby, and had a meeting with the people of that place — a 
suffering and laborious season, owing to the state of ease the 
people were in. I had to speak to them in a plain, close way, 
and though painful to me, so to do, I felt the reward of sweet 
peace for being faithful. After this, we made no other stop, 
except for our accommodation, until we got to West Lake, and 
put up with Jonathan Clark, on sixth day, the 18th. First day, 
the 20th, we attended that meeting, where Truth, in its own 
authority rose into dominion, to the comfort of the upright, 
and the encouragement of the sincere in heart. Thence to 
Thurlow, and had a meeting with the few Friends and others 
there. Also two meetings in Sidney. In all these, the Master 
of Israel's assemblies was pleased to favor with his owning 
presence, and richly favored, with suitable matter and utterance. 
Blessed be His holy name ! 

We returned to Judah Bowerman's, on fifth day, and on 
sixth day evening, w r e had a meeting at Hollowell, which was 
laborious. Holy help was given to hold forth the Truth in 
plainness, and it appeared to be well received by the people. 
Seventh day, we lay by. First day, the 27th, we had a crowded 
meeting near Little Lake, among a raw people ; many of them 
made no profession of religion, yet they were very attentive. 
The doctrines of Truth were largely communicated ; the meet- 
ing became settled into stillness, from a restless state, and closed 
in quietude. May the Lord grant that the labors of this day, 
be like the bread cast on the w r aters, to be gathered in time yet 
to come. 

The Half Year's Meeting commenced with that for Ministers 
and Elders, the 29th of 1st month — a deeply suffering time to 
me ; being made sensible that human wisdom was too much 



JOSEPH HOAG. 350 

acted in, while transacting their business, and Divine wisdom 
not even sought for by many of them so that the poor in spirit 
who had no wisdom but the Truth to lean upon, often went 
with their hands upon their loins, when they saw their beloved 
turned out of doors, and true judgment trodden under foot. I 
was enabled to clear my mind on this subject in plain dealing. 
The day following, they were long and dull in doing their bu- 
siness, and of course got but little done, owing to a worldly 
wise spirit, that influenced many who appeared determined 
that true judgment should not be brought to the line, or right- 
eousness to the plumb-line ; and in order to carry points, out- 
door plans were laid, and practiced in meetings ; they had to 
adjourn to another day to finish their business, in which some 
important matters were carried by misrule, deeply wounding 
the feelings of their brethren. 

After this meeting, we set forward for Norwich, and got to 
Pickering, attending that meeting on first day, which was a 
favored, refreshing time. We passed on round the head of the 
Lake, to Daniel Crossthwaite's, where we had a meeting to 
our own satisfaction, and that of the people. We continued 
our journey until we got to Job Peckham's, in Norwich, on 
sixth day evening, the 8th of 2d month, where we staid until 
first day, and attended their meeting. Here, I found many 
sick, and death in the pot, and much bitterness in the minds 
of some against their better brethren ; but Truth enabled me 
to clear my mind for that time. After it, we had a meeting 
in the lower settlement, with a little remnant who staid with 
Friends, the most of that meeting having gone off with the 
Hicksites. In this meeting, we were favord with the company 
of the dear Redeemer, to our comfort and encouragement. 
The Monthly Meeting coming on fourth day, we staid and at- 
tended it, where I had to pass through deep, painful feelings, 
which made my heart to ache, in seeing the discipline trodden 
under foot, and those who wished to have it so, justified. I 
was strengthened again to bear a faithful testimony in the plain- 
ness of Truth. 



360 JOURNAL OF 

Thence we went to Yarmouth, and had two meetings in that 
town, and one at a place called Nova Scotia Settlement, in all 
which it pleased the Head of the Church to give strength in 
weakness ; for it was my lot between meetings, almost contin- 
ually to pass under great poverty of spirit, and to feel great 
weakness. In this way I was led about from place to place, 
not knowing what would come next, until I was brought into 
action, and the Master laid it upon me to hand out to the peo- 
ple, and in simply attending to His directions, I have witnessed 
a being raised out of great poverty and weakness, and clothed 
with strength to run through a troop, and leap over the walls 
of opposition, and the Truth to rise into dominion over all. 
Blessed, and forever adored, be the name of the Lord, my God ! 
We returned to Norwich and attended the fourth day meeting, 
where my good Master strung my bow and tuned my harp, and 
enabled me to clear my mind, in so full and plain a manner, 
that I felt clear of theim whether they will hear, or whether 
thev will forbear. 

We arrived at Pelham, on seventh day, the 23d. First day, 
we attended a meeting there ; the presence of the Lord being 
felt amongst a little band who had been closely peeled, but not 
forsaken. We then proceeded to Lockport, in the State of 
New York, where we had a favored meeting on fifth day. On 
sixth day, the 1st of 3d month, we had a suffering meeting at 
Hartland, and put up with Benoni Sprague, where we were 
blocked up by a boisterous snow storm. We next proceeded 
to Rochester and had a meeting in the town ; then one in Ma- 
cedon, and attended Farmington meeting on first day, at the 
old house. In the evening, we had a meeting in Macedon vil- 
lage. On second day, we set forward for Pennsylvania, and on 
third day night, we arrived amongst Friends at Hector, where, 
finding their Monthly Meeting was the next day, we attended 
it. Fifth and sixth days, drove to Friendsville, in Penn- 
sylvania, and put up with John Hudson. Finding there 
was a small meeting of Friends held in the place, we concluded 
to proceed to Jehu Lord's, and lay by on seventh day. On 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 361 

first day, the 1 7th, we met with Friends and others of that 
place — a mixed multitude, and crowded meeting, which caused 
close labor ; but the Truth made its way through all opposi- 
tion, and arose triumphant. 

Second day, we set forward for Stroudsburg ; the roads be- 
ing exceedingly muddy, it took three days, but we got through 
in season to attend the Monthly Meeting, which was small, 
having been reduced by a number running into infidel princi- 
ples ; yet they conducted the business regularly and in harmo- 
ny. In this meeting I had the indulgence to sit in peaceful si- 
lence, which I esteemed a favor; but not feeling clear, I ap- 
pointed a meeting on sixth day, which gave an opportunity to 
relieve my mind considerably ; yet not feeling clear to leave, I 
concluded to stay over first day, the 24th of 3d month, at our 
kind friend, Daniel Stroud's. We attended their meeting, 
where a number present appeared in a very unsettled state of 
mind. I was dipped into a sense of their dark state of insen- 
sibility, and had to warn them seriously ; it was a painful, ex- 
ercising meeting, and there appeared a determination in some 
of them, not to receive or believe the Truth, so that I parted 
with them under the impression of sorrow. We left on sec- 
ond day, and arrived at Plumstead on third day evening, and 
had a meeting there on fourth day, and one at Buckingham 
on fifth day — both favored meetings. Sixth day, we went to 
Christopher Healey's, where we were on seventh day. First day, 
the 31st, we attended Falls Meeting ; there being a goodly num- 
ber of Friends who had kept their places through the struggle 
which produced the great rent in our Society. We returned to 
Buckingham Monthly Meeting on second day, which was much 
larger than we expected. They conducted their business in peace 
and good order. Third day, we attended Wrightstown Monthly 
Meeting, the weakest that I ever remember of attending — a 
painful, exercising one to me. We next attended Middleton, 
on fourth day ; it was small, yet they conducted their business 
in pretty good order, and appeared concerned to sustain the 
reputation of the Monthly Meeting. I had pretty good satis- 
23 



362 JOURNAL OF 

faction with the little band of that place. Filth clav. we at- 
tended Falls Monthly Meeting, where we met, I think, with the 
largest body of Friends in a Monthly Meeting capacity that 
we had fell in with since we left Canada. The good Shepherd, 
who goeth before His sheep, and pate them forth, was please;! 
not only to famish matter, but to give strength and utterance. 
The testimony went forth in its own authority. I fe] dear 

after meeting. On sixth day morning we rode to Middletown, 
and put up with David Comfort, and staid until seventh day, 
when he took us into the city of Philadelphia, to Ellis Yarn- 
all's, in season to attend all the meetings but one, before the 
Yearly Meeting, and also that of Darby. In all of them. I was 
enabled to clear my mind, so as to feel pretty well relieved. 
The Yearly Meeting of Ministers and Eiders commenced on 
seventh day, and the Yearly Meeting ended on seventh day fol- 
lowing. I was favored to attend all the sittings, and mercifully 
indulged to pass them all in silence, with the enjoyment oi 
peaceful poverty of spirit. 

On first day morning, I attended Orange street meeting; 
therein my mind was enlarged ; Truth flowed free and lively — 
a refreshing time to me. On second day. I went out to By- 
berry, and had a meeting on third day. with the few Friends. 
Notice being given, quite a number, not of our Society, attend- 
ed, so as nearly to fill the house ; amongst whom, were several 
of those who had seceded from us. Truth went forth in its 
own authority, and arose in its own power and dominion over 
all dark spirits. Blessed be the name of the Lord Almighty, 
who giveth strength in the day oi battle ! 

On seventh day morning, the 2 7th. I returned to the city, in 
season to attend the Monthly Meeting foi the Western District 
There the Master oi Israel's assemblies was pleased to open the 
well-spring of life, and water His heritage. Blessed and adored 
be His goodness, for evermore ! 

On fifth dav, I attended Arch street meeting, where Mildred 
RadclifT and another woman Friend, were much favored in tes- 
timony to the comfort oi their Friends. Sixth day, I went to 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 3G3 

Marion, and had a meeting with the few Friends there, much 
to my satisfaction, and returned to the city. Seventh day, we 
crossed the Delaware River, and went to Burlington, and at- 
tended the morning meeting, entirely closed up, without suf- 
fering. In the afternoon, way opened in the springing of the 
Gospel, to bear a short testimony to the relief of mind ; I de- 
parted in peace, and went to Springfield, where we had a fa- 
vored meeting ; for the Holy Shepherd of Israel, in the clear- 
ness of Gospel light and life, furnished with matter and utter- 
ance to divide, and apply to the several states before me; full 
relief was given ; peace flowed as a river. Blessed be His ho- 
ly name ! , < 

The next meeting was at Mount Holly, where they were 
much stripped by the rent that had taken place ; yet I thought 
they were in a better state than they were, when I was there 
some years before, when their meeting was large. I think I 
was rightly authorized to encourage them ; if they abode faith- 
ful there would come a returning Spring, when they would not 
only bud and blossom, but he nourished to bring forth good, 
acceptable fruit to the Great Head of the Church. We passed 
on to Rancocas, the meeting is pretty large ; there appeared to 
be a number of well-concerned Friends, yet with the younger 
class too much of a worldly spirit prevailed. My labors were 
exercising and plain, rewarded with peace. The following 
meeting at Westfieid was reduced by the revolt amongst them ; 
a stripped remnant appeared concerned to keep up their little 
meeting in faithfulness. The presence of the good Shepherd 
was felt amongst them, to our comfort, and their encouragment. 

We then went to Newtown and Haddonfield. In both those 
meetings, the testimony was deeply exercising, yet Truth rose 
in dominion. Thence, on first day, to Cropwell. We attend- 
ded a large, favored meeting on second day, at Moorestown, 
where the Gospel spring ran freely, greatly to the relief of my 
mind, and tendering of many minds in the assembly. On third 
day, we had a meeting at Easton, to my satisfaction, and the 



364 JOURNAL OF 

comfort of honest Friends, who had suffered by the bearing 
down disposition of the seceders. 

Fourth day, we attended Springfield Monthly Meeting. It 
was small, being reduced, by many leaving Society ; the rem- 
nant that were left, appeared well resigned, and engaged to 
maintain the good order, in support of our Society, conducting 
their business regularly. After meeting, we went to Joseph 
Haine's, where we were on fifth day, the 9th of 5th month. 
Sixth day, we attended Lower Evesham Monthly Meeting. 
Seventh day, at Upper Evesham Monthly Meeting—both fa- 
vored meetings. First day, we attended the Upper meeting 
again, greatly to the relief of my mind. Second day, we went 
to Tuckertown, on Little Egg Harbor, and had a meeting with 
Friends and others. Fourth day, we attended Bamegat meet- 
ing. Fifth day, we proceeded to Shrewsbury, and on sixth 
day we had a comfortable meeting with them. We made our 
home with the widow Elizabeth Williams, the 1 7th of the 
month. The 18th, we went to Plainfield, and had a pretty full 
favored meeting there the next day. After this meeting, I felt 
easy to take my departure, to attend our own Yearly Meeting 
at New York. We reached the city on the 21st, and the day 
following, attended their mid-week meeting, and found I was 
in my place, and general satisfaction I think was given. I lay 
by until the Yearly Meeting came on, and attended all the sit- 
tings, wherein business was conducted in harmony and conde- 
scension, ending in the quiet. Sixth day, I met with my wife 
in the city, and had her company through the Yearly Meeting, 
and up the river as far as Troy. There she took land convey- 
ance ; I kept to the water some miles further, and landed at 
Stillwater, where a carriage came for me the same day, and 
took me to Schaghticoke Point. My wife arrived there first, 
and had appointed a meeting there for the day following. I 
stayed and attended it with her, and was well satisfied with the 
meeting. She went on for home. I had to wait for my car- 
riage to come, which arrived at night the day she left me in 
the morning. We started for Granville and arrived in good 



JOSEPH HO AG, * 365 

season. My wife had stopped on the way, and had appointed 
a* meeting, so that she got in but little before me ; and finding 
their Monthly Meeting was coming on the next day but one, 
we both stayed and attended it, and felt glad that we did. 
Then quietly left for home, and arrived there the fore part of 
6th month, 1833. 

[From this time forward, there has been no further memoranda kept 
by Joseph Hoag, of his travels, or religious exercises. Probably occa- 
sioned by his inability to write, from advanced age, being in his 12& 
year.] 



CHAPTER XIV. 

[The following, is nearly vertabim what was delivered by our aged 
Priend, Joseph Hoag,. at the meeting referred to below, and has been 
corroborated by the testimony of Starksboro Monthly Meeting, and other 

reliable witnesses.] 

Ix the Fall of the year, 1837, at Starksboro Monthly Meet- 
ing, held at Lincoln, Vermont, Joseph Hoag, in a solemn and 
impressive way, spoke at considerable length, of the severe tri- 
als that Friends had passed through in many places, within 
several Yearly Meetings, whilst this Monthly Meeting had been 
preserved from the Hicksite ravages. He then adverted to the 
doctrines, practices, self-denying and cross-bearing life of our 
fore-fathers in the Truth ; to whom their peculiar testimonies 
were as life to them, and brought them together to be one peo- 
ple in religious fellowship. Far is this from that state of de- 
lusion, brought painfully to view at this time, when professors 
of our name, let loose the restraints of Gospel truths, and peace- 
able practices that bound them together at first, and instead 
thereof, be found, little by little to shun the cross, mingle more 
and more with the world, in its ways of glitter, pride, wealth, 
and supposed refinement, from primitive principles of a self- 
denying, cross-bearing life, to one more in the will and wisdom 
of the creatures, which seeks to change its own views, holding 
to great pretentions of firmness and zeal and to former name and 
action, to screen them from shame. From these, and causes 
growing therefrom, this society will be brought into greater 
trials than they have heretofore witnessed beginning at the 
heads of the tribes, who have gone into spiritual pride, from 
high stations down to the rear ranks, and Friends will be tried 



JOSEPH HOAG. 367 

to a hairs-breadth, brayed as in a Mortar, and sifted from sieve 
to sieve ; yet a remnant will be preserved through these trials. 
I may not live to see it, but there are those who are in this 
house that will — adding — " Friends, you may pen it down if you 
please, as it will cause a greater split, than that we have passed 
through." The solemnity attendant at that memorable time, is 
still lively, in the remembrance of many then present. 

[The. following account of the travels and religious meetings attended 
by Joseph Hoag in Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings in 1840-41, was 
kept by his kind Friend and companion, Job S. Collins, of Utica,] 

They left Utica, the 6th of 7th month, 1840, in a boat bound 
for Buffalo, and arrived safe at Lockport, the 10th ; dined at 
Jesse P. Haine's. From thence to Mead Atwater's, put up 
there, staid over first day, and attended their meeting held at 
Lockport. From thence to Buffalo, where we took the steam- 
boat for Huron, in Ohio, and landed there on the 15th. From 
thence to Joseph Healy's, in Greenwich, twenty-eight miles, 
where we arrived about noon. 17th, attended an appointed meet- 
ing there ; that meeting having been laid down in consequence 
of improper management therein. After meeting we returned to 
J. Healy's. 18th, Willis R. Smith took us in his carriage 
thirty-two miles. We staid one night at A. Carey's. 19th, had 
an appointed meeting two miles out of the village, called San- 
dusky Meeting, after which, we staid the night at Benjamin 
Carey's. Thence to Samuel Peasley's, and staid the night. 
21st, attended Gilead Monthly Meeting. 2 2d, attended an ap- 
pointed meeting at Westland. 23d, attended Allum Creek 
Monthly Meeting, and put up at William Benedict's. 24th, in 
company with Samuel Peasley, we started for Lewisburg, forty 
miles distant. 25th, had an appointed meeting there, and rode 
eight miles to Goshen ; staid at Martin Normon's. 26th, attend- 
ed their mid-week meeting. 27th, attended Westland meeting 
held in the woods, the house not being large enough to hold the 
people. After meeting, returned to Thomas Pearson's, and staid 
at bis house. Samuel Peasley then returned home. 28th, we 
started for Carmel, ten miles ; put up at Thomas Cowgill's. 9th, 



368 JOURNAL OF 

attended Carmel Meeting. 30th, in company with Henry Pick- 
erill, we started for Centre Quarterly Meeting, Warren county, 
Ohio, fifty miles distant, and arrived at Nathaniel Carpenter's, 
where Joseph was taken sick and was not able to attend the 
Quarterly Meeting. He remained sick about five weeks, his 
life being often despaired of by his nurse and physician ; yet he 
recovered his health so far as to be able to ride out. He then 
gave out appointments for four meetings near each other, occa- 
sioning seventeen miles travel. The last one being held at 

Wilmington, near John M— , where Joseph again lay sick two 

weeks. When recovered, we went on to Turtle Creek Meeting. 
From thence to Springfield Monthly Meeting, held 15th of 9th 
month, 1840. It was an interesting meeting ; the young people 
whose countenances bespoke innocence and integrity of heart, 
were an ornament to their parents, and an encouraging pros- 
pect to the society of Friends. 16th, we proceeded down the 
Creek five or six miles, and attended a small meeting, held in 
a brick Meeting house. 1 7th, we traveled to Harveysburg, and 
attended their mid-week meeting ; dined at Doct. Harvey's. 
From thence we went 12 miles to Jonathan Johnson's, in 
Wainsville. 18th, had an appointed meeting there ; thence 12 
miles to Springborough ; on account of Joseph being sick, we 
remained two weeks at Solomon Miller's, and were kindly en- 
tertained by him and his wife, who arranged to accommodate 
with their horse and carriage to attend several meetings at Su- 
gar Creek and Springborough. In attending those meetings 
we traveled fifteen miles. The 11th of 10th month, Jacob 
Taylor took us to Cincinnati, to Ephraim Morgan's, where we 
fell in company with Enos T. Robinson, from England, and 
John Scott, from Maryland. 15th, we attended Cincinnati 
Monthly Meeting. 16th, we started in a steamboat for Beaver 
Falls, 500 miles up the river, where we landed the 21st, about 
one o'clock at night. 2 2d, we took coach for New Brighton, 
where I left Joseph at his son's, and returned home. 

Fourth month, 8th, 1841, I left home in order to accompany 
Joseph Hoag through the remaining part of his religious visit 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 369 

to Ohio and Indiana Yearly Meetings. I arrived at Joseph D. 
Hoag's, at Brighton, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, the 15th, 
where I found my aged Friend in tolerable health for traveling. 
18th, we took steamboat, for Pittsburg. 19th, took the boat 
for Redstone, 60 miles ; arrived there the 20th. 21st, attend- 
ed their Preparative Meeting. 2 2d, (the first day of our aged 
traveler's eightieth year,) rode 11 miles to Pike Run, had a 
meeting there, and staid the night at Amos Griffith's. Next 
day after meeting rode six miles to Westland, and staid at 
George Smith's. 24th, we had an appointed meeting there, 
after which we dined at Mildred Radcliff's. 26th, returned to 
Eli Haine's, at Redstone. 28th, attended their Select Monthly 
Meeting. 29th, attended the Monthly Meeting. 30th, went 
to Providence, and attended the Quarterly Meeting. 5th 
month, 2d, attended Centre Meeting and staid the night after, 
at John Lippincot's, returned to Providence, and put up at 
Samuel Cope's. Third we arrived at Sewickley. 4th, had an 
appointed meeting there. 5th, we went to Youghiogeny Riv- 
er ; thence by boat to Pittsburg, 28 miles. Next morning took 
steamboat for Wheeling, and arrived there that evening. 8th, 
took coach for St. Clairsville. 9th, attended an appointed 
meeting there, and went to Benjamin Vail's, at Plainfield. 10th, 
attended meeting there. After which, John Vail went with us 
to Stillwater ; we put up at our kind Friend, Benjamin Hoyle's. 
11th, attended their Meeting. After which, our kind Friend, 
Jacob Crew took us to his house, and on the 12th, took us to 
the Ridge Meeting. 13th, attended Sommerton Meeting. 
Thence attended meeting at Sunbury, Richland, Goshen, and 
the Select Meeting at Stillwater. 23d, attended meeting at 
Stillwater. 24th, attended Ridge Monthly Meeting. Thence re- 
turned to Stillwater : 30th, attended Pennsville meeting ; thence 
to Chesterfield Meeting, which was large ; thence to Plymouth, 
and had a meeting there on the 3d, and arrived at Cincinnati, 
5th of 6th month, and attended meeting there the 6th. Then 
had an appointed meeting at Elk. Thence to New Hope, and 
attended meeting there. 10th, at Westfield Select Quarterly 



370 JOURNAL OF 

Meeting, held at Salem. 11th, attended with the African Com- 
mittee. 12th, attended Westfield Quarterly Meeting, where 
Joseph was highly favored. 13th, attended their meeting, and 
an appointed meeting at 3 o'clock, at Silver Creek. Thence 
to Millborough — Joseph was favored at both the last meetings. 
On second day, we attended meeting, at Poplar Ridge, which 
was favored. 15th, had an appointed meeting at Orange. 
Thence to Woodbury, and attended an appointed meeting 
at Chester. 19th, at Dover; then to Concord, and New Gar- 
den, on the 20th. 21st, at Newport. 2 2d, at Arby meeting. 
23d, Cherry Grove. 24th, at Lynn. 25th, at Jericho. 26th 
at White River. 27th, at Duck Creek, then to Sparrow Creek, 

L Creek, Popple Run, West River, Springfield, Nettle 

Creek, and attended Westbury meeting, the 4th of 7th month^ 
first day ; then to Flat Rock, Clear Spring, and the mid-week 
meeting at Spiceland, on the 7th ; thence to Duck Creek, and 
Elm Grove, which was fully attended. 10th, at Raysville, then 
to Carthage, Walnut Ridge, Little Blue River, Sandy Creek, 
Driftwood, Blue River, Beech Grove, Lick Creek, and Blue 
River Quarterly Meeting, on the 25th and 26th. 30th, had an 
appointed meeting at Hopewell. 31st, at Bethel, in Wayne 
county, Indiana. 8th month, 1st, at Milford meeting; then to 
West Grove, Fairfield, West Branch, Mill Creek, Concord, 
Randolph and Mill Creek again. Then returned to Randolph. 
13th, Joseph attended Waynesville Select Meeting. 14th and 
15th, at Miami Quarterly Meeting. 17th, attended Mill Creek 
Monthly Meeting, then to Union. 19th, at West Branch 
Monthly Meeting. 20th, Joseph attended the Select Quarterly 
Meeting. 21st, we attended the Quarterly Meeting at West 
Branch, and on first day following, the public meeting. 25th, 
attended Monthly Meeting at Richmond. Then to New Gar- 
den Select Meeting and Quarterly Meeting. Next day attend* 
tended the public meeting. Thence to Somerton, Beech Creek, 
Oak Ridge, Deer Creek, Missineway, 'New Hope, and Centre 
meeting. Then moved forward for Allum Creek Quarterly 
Meeting, and on the way attended Carmel Preparative Meet- 



JOSEPH HO AG. 371 

ing, Westland meeting, also a Select Preparative Meeting, and 
Goshen Monthly Meeting. On the 23d of 9th month, attended 
Alliuii Creek Quarterly Meeting, and after it we went to Wil- 
liam Gidley's. We then attended Allum Creek, Gilead, and 
Owl Creek meetings. Then accompanied by our kind Friend, 
Birthday Cone, we passed on to Joseph Healey's, in Green- 
wich, and attended that meeting. We arrived at Huron, the 
2d of 10th month. Thence by steamboat to Buffalo, where we 
arrived on the 3d. We then proceeded to Lockport and at- 
tended an appointed meeting there on the 5th. The 7th, we 
attended Farmington Quarterly Mee ing for worship, and were 
at Rochester, on first day, the 10th, arriving safely at Utica, 
on the 15th. 

The following account is given by Benjamin Taber, who took 
Joseph Hoag from Utica to his own home : "On the 21st of 
10th month we rode thirty-two miles, part of the way through 
deep mirey roads. 2 2d, we traveled to Galway and lodged at 
Caleb Palmers. Seventh day, 23d, we rode thirty-two miles 
to Isaac Mosher's in Queensbury, and attended that meeting on 
first day, the 24th, and lodged with Caleb Dean. Second day 
we went to Luzerne ; Uncle Joseph appointed a meeting there 
for the next day at eleven o'clock; after it we returned to 
Queensbury, and attended their mid-week meeting on fourth 
day. We then attended four appointed meetings as follows : 
Glenn's Falls, Nider, Gurney Settlement, and Kingsbury ; the 
latter a crowded meeting in a school-house ; all of which were 
seasons of favor, and spiritual refreshment ; especially the last 
one among the Baptists, where the outward, shadowy, figura- 
tive law was brought to view, and contrasted with the inward 
and spiritual law of the spirit of life ; showing that as the for- 
mer was but as the shadow, or figure of the substance, it must 
decrease and give place, when the substance was brought ex- 
perimentally and feelingly to the heart. Then as the former 
decreased, the latter would increase — as it was practically abode 
in — to that of perfection in holiness, in accordance with the 
measure of the gift of the grace of God. It was a season of fa- 



372 JOURNAL OF 

vor to the people, and one to be remembered. One of their 
deacons was so far convinced that he left the Baptists, and has 
been a pretty steady attender of Friends meetings ever since. 
First day, the 31st, we were at Queensbury meeting. Truth 
owned the testimonies delivered, and we were enabled to leave 
them with peaceful enjoyment, which seemed to render our 
journey pleasant to our homes. We traveled that afternoon 
fourteen miles to Isaac Osborne's. Next day rode to Cornwell, 
forty-three miles. Third day morning the 2d of 11th month, 
we started very early, and rode twenty-four miles in season to 
take refreshment before attending Ferrisburgh Select Prepara- 
tive Meeting ; thence to Uncle's home." 

As our beloved Friend Joseph Hoag, did not keep any ac- 
count of the preceding journey himself, probably owing to his 
advanced age and infirmities, the following will no doubt be in- 
teresting to Friends generally. It appears by the records of 
Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, Vermont, that he obtained a min- 
ute of concurrence, to perform a religious visit to some parts of 
Ohio, and nearly all the meetings in Indiana Yearly Meeting, 
which was dated 4th month, 29th, 1840, which he returned 
the 3d of 11th month, 1841, with returning minutes from West 
Branch, Red Stone, and several other Quarterly Meetings, with 
a large number from different Monthly Meetings, all expressive 
of his company and gospel labors being satisfactory ; except one, 
which expressed that his company and deportment were satis- 
factory. 

After his return home in the 11th month, 184], he attended 
the Yearly Meeting in New York, in 1842, and nearly all the 
meetings in Ferrisburg Quarter. Having obtained a minute of 
concurrence from Ferrisburg Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, 
the former dated the 3d of 8th month, 1842, to perform a re- 
ligious visit to the meetings of Friends within the limits of In- 
diana Yearly Meeting, he left home, in company with Samuel 
Peasley and wife, and Johanna Worth, in the 9th month, 1842. 
He afterwards visited most of the meetings within Indiana 
Yearly Meeting, extending as far west as Iowa, where he spent 



JOSEPH TIOAG. 373 

a considerable portion of one winter, with his son Joseph D. 
who had recently removed there. He returned back to Wil- 
lis and Ann Smith's, at Greenwich, Ohio, from whom the fol- 
lowing- account has been received. 

11 We think it was in the latter part of 7th month, 1844, that 
Joseph Hoag came to our house, being desirous to go to Lake 
Erie to embark for home. He mentioned, that though he was 
preparing to return, there was a cloud before him, and that he 
could not see his way clear ; yet said, we might prepare a car- 
riage for him to start the next morning. He got up in the 
morning, and went to the door to go out and wash (not suffer- 
ing water to be brought to him), and fell from the door on the 
ground. He was raised on his feet, and still persisted in the 
attempt to wash his face and head, but growing faint, was 
helped into the house. We attempted to lay him on the bed, 
but it gave him so much pain, he was placed in an easy chair, 
in which he remained, (though sometimes raised upon his feet) 
for more than two weeks, without a murmur or a groan that we 
ever heard. After he was able to converse, he said that he now 
saw the cause of the cloud that was placed before him ; that 
his Master required it of him to go to a Monthly Meeting, 
which he named, to assist a remnant of that meeting, who were 
borne down by the other part, and said, that if his Master 
raised him up, he should return ; which he did on his recovery, 
to his satisfaction, as he expressed when he came back to our 
place. And also said, now he thought his work was nearly 
done, that his Master would send him of no more errands ; and 
appeared cheerful. During his confinement at our house, he 
frequently expressed his concern for the Society of Friends ; 
also, that he believed there was coming a more trying time to 
Friends than they had ever known, because the old dragon 
was about, and had already in some places, turned himself into 
the appearance of an angel of light, and would draw many stars, 
yea many who had been bright stars, to the earth, by his fine 
speeches— but that he believed there would be a remnant, 
that would be preserved, though in the furnace of affliction, and 



37-i JOURNAL or 

that this remnant would grow, and eventually fill the earth. 
Many, very many, were the times he expressed a concern for 
5 : me of his own family, who were in hi^'h standing, and had 
known the time when they spoke tremblingly ; then they were 
on good ground, but now he feared for them. Often would he 

exclaim, * 0, poor ■, thou thinkest thou art rich and 

strong ; but if thou only knew thy nakedness, thou wouldst sit 
in sack cloth and ashes.' We could fill many sheets with his 
expressions whilst confined, but perhaps this may suffice. We 
know that some here and at other places say, he was childish, 
but we believe, he was a strong man in the Lord." 

It appears from the records of Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting, 
that he returned the forementioned minute the 2Sth of Sth 
month, 1S44, with returning minutes from Indiana Yearly 
Meeting, from Western. Blue River, and White Lick Quart e-: 
Meetings, with a large number from different Monthly Meet- 
ings, expressive of his company and gospel labors while among 
them, being satisfactory. 

The following was taken down in his own words, by his 
daughter, the late Hannah H. Battey : M I attended the Yearly 
Meeting in Xew York, in IS 4 5, which to me was a painful, dis- 
tressing time, especially some of the sittings; though unable to 
hear one word that was spoken in meetings. I believe I was i 
void of a true sense of the present situation of am Be :iety. I 

was in company with , and . they carried high 

heads and lofty looks, and appeared in high spirits. There 

: a great deal of conversation : I could not hear it, but I : 
it, and it distressed me. I found by inc-uiry that I was not 
mistaken as to the subjects conversed upon. I mused often up- 
on my present as well as formei :: slings, respecting the situa- 
tion of the Society in Xew England Yearly Meeting, particu- 
larly their treatment of John Wilbur. Sometimes I would say 
to myself, am I deceived, or am I not ! They do not tell me 
much about it. but I cannot get rid of the impression that he 
has been, not only a sufferer, but a deeply injured man, and 



JOSEPH IIOAG. 375 

that by false brethren. If so, will not one be raised up to plead 
his cause, or defend him in this day of trial ?" 

The following information is obtained from, the records of 
Ferrisburg Monthly Meeting. 

"On the 26th of 2d month, 1845, our aged Friend Joseph 
Hoag, obtained a minute to perform a religious visit to Friends 
and others, in the western and northern parts of Ferrisburg 
Quarterly Meeting ; which he accomplished in the 6th and 7th 
months following. 

He also obtained a minute on the 1st of 10th month, 1845, 
to pay a religious visit in some places in the compass of Sara- 
toga Quarterly Meeting; which it appears he was enabled 
mostly to perform. 

These appear to be his last religious visits with minutes. He 
attended New York Yearly Meeting, in 1846. 



9th month, 5th, 1846. 

It is with painful feelings that I believe it is encumbent on 
me to cause to be placed on paper a pretty full and explicit ac- 
count of some conversation of mine, which took place at New 
York, in the time of our last Yearly Meeting, in consequence of 
reports getting into extensive circulation, very different from 
my understanding, or my intention to convey ; I have there- 
fore requested Amos Battey, to act as scribe for me. 

I put up at Mahlon Day's, where , an aged Friend 

— who had long been in good standing as a member of our So- 
ciety, but had latterly taken a decided stand with the larger 
body in New England — also put up, who showed great respect 
for me. Conversation by different persons was often started, as 
I thought, to get my sentiments in regard to the present exist- 
ing troubles in our Society ; and when pressed pretty close, I 
generally answered iin this way : I think I see an unhallowed 
fire on both sides, and it all comes out of one focus. By this 
unhallowed fire, I meant the heat I discovered in different in- 
dividuals on both sides, in conversing on the subjects. And I 
said, if you will quarrel and divide, I do not see but I shall be 



376 JOURNAL OF 

left alone, for I have no unity with these fires that all come out 
of one focus ; for I did not come here to be busied about the 
concerns of another country, and another Yearly Meeting, out 
of doors, where they cannot decide or settle anything, but get 
into a heat, and sometimes censure ; if this is not a strange 
fire, I do not know what to call it. I said this to show them 
my views, for I am not a party man, but one who wishes to 
stand firm to the ancient principles, as held by our early 
Friends. 

But to proceed. I was much noticed by . I had 

considerable conversation, in which I brought to view a num- 
ber of events, which had taken place since the first gathering; 
of our Society, in which there had been a defect, not only in 
regard to the right and faithful support of the discipline, but 

also in regard to doctrine. I told , I had never altered my 

sentiments that I was sensible of, one hair's breadth, through 
all the Hicksite concern, nor in this ; for when I was fully con- 
vinced of our ancient principles, I was as fully convinced of the 
propriety and right of our discipline, and Church government 

of our forefathers. with a smile, answered, M I never 

thought thou had/' By this time, all were gone out of the 

room but , and myself, and I supposed out of hearing. 

We both sat silent awhile. It was in my mind, to tell him 
what I saw in the meeting on second day afternoon. I sat and 
mused, until much of its lively feeling was lost. This made me 
think more seriously, and it returned with equal clearness. I 
still mused, until it seemed to me like the blaze of a candle 
nearly gone out, and I felt not as I wanted to. I began to 

think I almost wished I had let have it, but it came again 

with increased clearness. I turned to him and said, k * I have a 
mind to tell thee, what appeared to me as I sat in meeting." 
He said, " I am willing to hear it." I then said, "It opened 
to me in the clearness, that many of the leaders of our Society, 
(meaning our Yearly Meeting as then being held) were in dan- 
ger of running into ranterism, and not know it ; and it would 
be in this way ; in speaking to business, which every con- 



JOSEPH HOAG. 37V 

oerned member has a right to do, and to give their reasons 
therefor, if need requires ; but there is a class that will do all 
this, and then take up more time in preaching in favor of their 
sentiments, and sometimes double the time. The Ministry is 
a pure gift, and ought not to be mixed with other matters. 
Elias Hicks practiced in that way for many years, and see what 
he came to ; and several others in my day have very much run 
down, and some entirely out. After informing him, that I 
told him this for him to remember, for I thought I should not 
live to see the effects that would follow, in consequence of that 
spirit spreading, but I thought he would ; here the discourse 
stopped for that time. - ' 

In the course of the next day I was sitting alone ; 

came and sat by me, and in the appearance of much solidity, 
said, he had thought much of our conversation, that we had the 
day previous. He proposed for me to read and sign a paper, 
which he had written on the subject. I declined, as I could 
not well read strange hand-writing, and my hand trembled so, 
that I had not pretended to write in some time. He 
then read it to me. He had got a long preface to it, 
so that I concluded I should not put my hand to it. I 
made no remark to him, but I thought he seemed unwilling to 
give it up ; yet all the time he carried the idea that the sub- 
ject had so impressed his mind that he felt most easy to write 
it, to lay by and keep, as a testimony, to have recourse to in a 
future day. I had no thought that he had any other object in 
view, and I consented for him to put my name to what I had 
said, which he had asked the privilege of; but in looking it 

over, T grew uneasy and took aside, and told him in 

substance, that if he kept that paper, he must draft it off; and 
the preface that he had written, put at the head of the sheet, 
and strike a black mark across the sheet and put his own name 
to it as the author ; then under it thou mayest write what I said 
on the subject, but put it in the same words as near as thou pos- 
sibly canst, and to that thou mayest put my name, and under my 
name I want thee to put a note, that I also observed, that there is 
24 



378 JOURNAL OF 

a class that would be careful, neither to meddle, nor move, only 
as they see in the clear light of the Lord, was required by 
Him ; and when they had done their duty, leave it all to the 
Lord, keeping their eye single to Him, and no where else. 
These will be preserved to the end, for He always had a people 
and always will ; and it is this class only that the Lord always 
owned and kept, and always will, while He remains to be an 
unchangeable God. 

After this I turned to , and told him, " I see my 

mental faculties are failing, and should I be drawn off from the 
Truth, as Hugh Judge was, and thus bring a reproach upon 
the Truth, then let this all be put in oblivion, that it never be 
known that such a writing ever was ; n which he appeared to 
assent to cheerfully. Joseph Hoag. 

Neither had he assented to any writing understanding^ 

which might carry a different meaning to the foregoing. And 

as he wished us to be witnesses, we have hereunto set our 

hands. 

Ruth Battey, William C. Battey, 

Lydia Worth, Louisa Battey, 

Nicholas Battey, Thanetul Battey. 



As the subjects alluded to in the following vision, are of gen- 
eral interest, and much expression having been given in favor 
of its being appended to this journal, it is concluded to do so : 

"In the year 1803, probably in the eighth or ninth month, I 
was one day alone in the fields, and observed that the sun 
shone clear, but that a mist eclipsed the brightness of its shi- 
ning. 

As I reflected upon the singularity of the event, my mind 
was struck into a silence, the most solemn I ever remember to 
have witnessed, for it seemed as if all my faculties were laid 
low, and unusually brought into deep silence. I said to my- 
self, ' what can all this mean ? I do not recollect ever before 
to have been sensible of such feelings.' And I heard a voice 
from heaven say, ■ This that thou seest, which dims the bright- 



JOSEPH HOAO. 379 

tiess of the sun, is a sign of the present and coming times. I 
took the forefathers of this country from a land of oppression : 
I planted them here among the people of the forest. I sus- 
tained them, and while they were humble, I blessed them 
and fed them, and they became a numerous people : but 
they have now become proud and lifted up, and have for- 
gotten Me, who nourished and protected them in the wilder- 
ness, and are running into every abomination and evil practice 
of which the old countries are guilty ; and I have taken quie- 
tude from the land, and suffered a dividing spirit to come 
among them. Lift up thine eyes and behold,' And I saw 
them dividing in great heat., This division began in the Church 
upon points of doctrine. It commenced in the Presbyterian 
Society, and went through the various religious denominations, 
and in its progress and close, the effect was nearly the same ; 
those who dissented, went off with high heads and taunting 
language ; and those who kept to their organized sentiments, 
appeared exercised and sorrowful. And when this dividing 
spirit entered the Society of Friends, it raged in as high a de- 
gree as any I had before discovered, and as before, those who 
separated, went with lofty looks and taunting, censuring lan- 
guage ; those who kept to their ancient principles, retired by 
themselves. 

It next appeared in the Lodges of the Free Masons, and it 
broke out in appearance like a volcano, inasmuch as it set the 
country in an uproar for a length of time. Then it entered 
politics throughout the United States, and did not stop, until 
it produced a civil war, and an abundance of human blood was 
shed in the course of the combat. The Southern States lost their 
power, and Slavery was annihilated from their borders. Then 
a Monarchical power arose — took the Government of the States 
— established a national religion, and made all Societies tribu- 
tary to support its expenses. I saw them take property from 
Friends to a large amount. I was amazed at beholding all 
this, and heard a voice proclaim, i this Power shall not always 
stand, but with this Power I will chastise my Church until they 



380 JOURNAL OF 

return to the faithfulness of their forefathers. Thou seest what 
is coming on thy native land for their iniquity, and the blood 
of Africa ; the remembrance of which has come up before me. 
This Vision is yet for many days." 

I had no idea of writing it down for many years, until it be* 
came such a burden, that for my own relief I have written it 

Joseph Hoag." 



V 



A TESTIMONY 

OP STARKSBORO MONTHLY MEETING OF FRIENDS, CONCERNING 
OUR BELOVED FRIEND, 
JOSEPH HOAG, DECEASED. 



The subject of this memoir was the eldest child of Elijah 
and Phebe Hoag, and was born the 22d of 4th month, 1762. 
He very early in life manifested an inclination to sobriety, and 
the steady attendance of religious meetings ; often feeling his 
mind tendered and his understanding enlarged, he became de- 
sirous of living an upright and holy life ; yet being of a quick 
and unstable disposition, he often fell short of the fulfillment 
of those good resolutions, and the convictions he felt for these, 
his short comings, at times caused him to weep, and promise 
amendment of life ; thus several of his juvenile years were 
passed. 

At intervals he was in an uncommon degree permitted to 
partake of the incomes of heavenly intelligence, which unfolded 
to his mind things of a deep spiritual nature. It was an 
early period when he witnessed a clear evidence that he should 
be called to the work of the ministry, and was shown the re- 
gions of misery and woe, with people traveling thither; the 
awfulness of this view caused him for a time to refrain from 
wrong habits ; he was also permitted to have a view of the heav- 
enly host, with a warning to repent, ye{ after these clear open- 
ings, when the time arrived for him to engage in the service 
pointed out by his Divine Master, he was unfaithful and diso- 



382 TESTIMONY. 

bedient ; soon the tendering influences of heavenly goodness 
became much effaced, his mind alienated from the source of 
all good, and by listening to the insinuations of the enemy of 
man's happiness, he was left to doubt the truths of the Gospel, 
and embrace infidelity ; while thus wandering from the fold of 
Christ, it pleased his Heavenly Father, in mercy to send a 
faithful servant, who was enabled to open unto him his condi- 
tion and the doubts of his mind, closing his testimony in this 
moving language : "That Jesus whom thou hast denied, hath 
opened unto me thy state and condition." This so wrought 
upon his mind that he became penitent even unto tears. 

The enemy then endeavored to make him believe that he 
never should arrive at a state of acceptance, tempting him to 
give up all hope. His afflictions under these besetments were 
great for some time, when the same minister was qualified to 
show him that this also was the work of the enemy, with more 
of a comforting nature. Being thus again encouraged, he re- 
signed himself to the disposal of the Great Head of the Church, 
and came forward in his first appearance in the ministry not 
far from his eighteenth year, to the peace of his hitherto op- 
pressed and afflicted soul. 

For this change in his manner of life, he had much to en- 
dure from his former associates in folly, and found it necessary 
for him to withdraw from their company. 

The enemy still continued to follow him with his insinua- 
tions, endeavoring to make him believe that the continued calls 
to come forward in the ministry were not from the right source ; 
in this season of conflict and trial, he covenanted with the 
Lord, if he would send a servant unacquainted with his condi- 
tion, to tell him he was rightly called, he would endeavor to be 
faithful. The Lord condescended to answer his desire, delega- 
ting one of his servants to inform him that his call was right, 
and to speak comfortably to him, encouraging him to faithful- 
ness. Yet after having his request thus granted, he still hesi- 
tated, greatly abhorring a false ministry, and desired that his 
life might be taken as an acceptable sacrifice in lieu of the ser- 



TESTIMONY. 383 

vice. The Lord showed him that no other sacrifice except that 
of His own appointment would be acceptable, and that he had 
not kept his covenant after the desired confirmation had been 
granted. Being sensible of his disobedience, he once more re- 
solved to serve the Lord faithfully, and henceforward his ap- 
pearances in the ministry were more often ; this was near his 
nineteenth year. 

In the fall of 1782 he was married to Huldah Case (who 
had also acceptably appeared in the ministry.) Although their 
circumstances were rather limited, he gave up to apprehended 
duty, visiting in the love of the Gospel the neighboring meet- 
ings, and at times some more remote ; these little services were 
acceptable to his friends, and they officially approved of his 
ministry about five years from his first appearance. 

In 1789 or 90, with the approbation of his friends, he re- 
moved with his family from his native place (Dutchess County, 
N. Y.,) and settled in Charlotte, Vermont, then a new country, 
where there were but few Friends, and they remotely situated. 
Here he continued to reside the rest of his days. In his new 
location he felt drawn forth in the work of the ministry, hold- 
ing religious meetings in many places ; thus was he made an 
instrument in the Lord's hand in gathering people to the Truth, 
so that in process of time, with the increase of Friends from 
other places, several meetings were established in those parts, 
in which he continued to labor, under the pointings of Truth, 
as a faithful watchman, through his long and useful life, to the 
edification of many. Neither jpere his labors in Truth's ser- 
vice confined to these, but several times he traveled more ex- 
tensively, and on the 5th of 1st month, 1801, left his own hab- 
itation to perform a religious visit through New England Year- 
ly Meeting, extending it to Nova Scotia and other British 
Provinces ; having to travel some parts of this lengthy journey 
two or three times over, it occupied upward of one and a half 
years in the prime of life. 

For several years after his return, being often out of health, 
he traveled but little, and that within his own Yearly Meeting, 



384 TESTIMONY. 

although it appears he spent considerable time in labors of love 
between that time and the year 1812 ; and again in 1816, be 
visited nearly all the meetings of Friends in Pennsylvania, Ma- 
ryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, and some parts of 
Tennessee, appointing some meetings amongst those not of our 
Society. In the two last visits he spent about twenty-eight 
months ; many and deep were his baptisms, increased in con- 
sequence of that system of oppression which prevails in the 
southern portion of these United States. Yet endeavoring to 
follow the pointings of his Heavenly Leader, he experienced 
many preservations, and the incomes of sweet peace to his 
mind. After this he performed a visit of five months within 
his own Yearly Meeting, and on the 6th of 11th month, 1823, 
he left home to visit the northern and western part of New 
York, Ohio, Indiana, and some parts of North Carolina, Yearly 
Meetings, In this, as in several previous similar engagements, 
he felt constrained to travel some parts over the second time. 
Humbling as these requirements were, they afforded the re- 
ward of peace ; 7,600 miles were traveled in a few days short 
of 21 months. 

Previous to the separation which took place in 1828, his 
spirit was often brought into deep religious exercise, in behold- 
ing the introduction of a spirit of disbelief and misrule, and the 
inroads that were being made in the Society, through the in- 
fluence of an unsound ministry. He as a faithful watchman 
upon the walls of Zion, gave warning of the approaching dan- 
ger, and took an early opportunity with the principal leader in 
the defection, pointing out to him the unsoundness of his min- 
istry, and the tendency of his course to spread disaffection in 
the Society ; nor did he rest satisfied without extending his la- 
bors to others, boldly maintaining the testimonies of Truths 
For his faithful adherence to the ancient principles and order of 
Society, he endured much contumely and scorn. Being one 
of the committee to assist subordinate meetings in their tried 
situation after the separation, his time was much taken up. ir\ 
that service the remainder of the year, 



TESTIMONY. 385 

The following year he performed a general visit through the 
southern part of the Yearly Meeting, and has since acknowl- 
edged that he had not at any time of life witnessed more of 
the overshadowing influence of heavenly help. 

In his 70th year he felt drawn to make a general visit 
through New England Yearly Meeting, and left home for that 
purpose in 5th month, 1831, returning in about ten months. 
It appears that this journey was attended with many deep bap- 
tisms of spirit ; being shown the situation of society in those 
parts as he traveled from place to place, he discovered writings 
in circulation containing sentiments at variance with the estab- 
lished doctrines of our religious Society. After leaving the 
southern part of that Yearly Meeting he believed it required of 
him to return to Providence and labor with one in high stand- 
ing, who was endeavoring to produce a change in the manner 
of doing much of the business of that meeting, insinuating that 
it could be better done by a committee empowered with au- 
thority than by the meeting itself. "I labored faithfully," says 
he, "with the individual, to convince him of the bad consequen- 
ces of such a course, and that it would eventually scatter and 
divide Society." He also labored in public and private to con- 
vince Friends of the impropriety of suffering those unsound 
writings to be spread amongst them, expressing that if they 
were circulated within the compass of that meeting they would 
produce a schism. Thus we find this servant of the Lord at an 
early period, contending against those doctrinal innovations, 
which have since those days extended through most places in 
Society, laying waste its principles and changing its order. 

After this he was favored, to the satisfaction of his Friends, 
and we doubt not to the peace of his own mind, to perform 
quite lengthy visits, one in 1832, and one in 1840 and '41 ; and 
again in 9th month, 1842, in his 81st year, under the infirmi- 
ties of age, he left home, visiting most of the meetings in Indi- 
ana Yearly Meeting, extending his visit to Iowa. Whilst out 
on religious visits, especially in his advanced age, he was seve- 
ral times reduced to so low a state of health that doubts were 



386 TESTIMONY. 

entertained of his recovery, and in the last visit, having return- 
ed to Greenwich, Ohio, (in the summer of 1843) thinking to 
embark for his own residence, although he expressed to the 
Friends where he was staying, that there was a cloud before 
him, he was suddenly taken ill and confined for some time, not 
able to rest on a bed for more than two weeks. Upon his re- 
covery, he found it required of him to return, and assist an op- 
pressed remnant in a certain Monthly Meeting; this service 
being performed, he returned to the same Friend's house, and 
appeared cheerful, expressing his belief that his work was near- 
ly done. He performed but few, and these but short, visits af- 
ter his return. During the aforesaid confinement in Ohio, he 
manifested deep anxiety, not only for some of his own family, 
then in high standing, but for the Society at large, under the 
conviction that there was a more trying time coming than 
Friends had before known, expressing his belief that many 
stars — yea, many that had been bright stars, would be drawn 
to the earth, through the transformings of the evil one, yet he 
was decided in the belief that a remnant would be preserved. 

Inasmuch as we have oft-times been favored with the pleas- 
ant company, the cheerful conversation, and the deep search- 
ing ministry of our worthy Friend, we are concerned to give 
forth this testimony respecting him, although he was not a 
member of this meeting. 

Being a man of good understanding, and having a retentive 
memory, and a mind seasoned with grace, his conversation was 
truly instructive, and his services for the maintenance of good or- 
der in the Society, were very useful. As an experienced father 
in the Church, he was tender and affectionate to the young and 
inexperienced, watching over them for their good, with desires 
that they might be gathered into the fold of Christ, and under 
the teachings of His Spirit come to a full understanding of that 
which pertains to their growth in grace and the saving knowl- 
edge of Jesus Christ. But to those who were disposed to 
slight the counsel of their Friends, reject the witness for truth 
in their own breasts, and to set at naught or trample under 



TESTIMONY. 387 

foot the order of society, he was clothed with the spirit of 
judgment, and authority to place it upon them. 

But perhaps of all the qualifications with which a wise Prov- 
idence had endowed him, he appeared most conspicuous in the 
gift of the ministry and the spirit of prophecy. Often was he 
qualified to enter with great clearness into the state of individ- 
uals and meetings. "We are able to call to memory certain oc- 
casions, when, in obedience to his Heavenly Leader, he came 
amongst us, and in the authority of the Gospel disclosed things 
known to but very few ; and divers are the occurrences, when 
in the vision of light, he was led to announce the near approach 
of death, in some instances that it would be sudden — no time 
given on a bed of languishing. 

Many among us can recur to testimonies delivered by him, 
wherein he was permitted to see, yea, rather was shown and 
was authorized to depict with much clearness, what would take 
place in the Society. At one time (about the year 1838) he 
expressed that a separation on account of doctrine would take 
place in that meeting, (Ferrisburg Quarter) and feeling full 
confidence in the opening, in the authority of Truth, remarked, 
"Friends, you may pencil it down if you please." The fulfill- 
ment of these predictions is an evidence that his authority was 
from Him who knoweth all things, and can see the end from 
the beginning. Neither did he expect that these troubles in 
Society would be confined to a small place, for he as a faithful 
shepherd had watched with sorrow the diffusion of sentiments, 
inimical to the principles of Friends, the effect of which would 
be to produce discord and disruption in many parts of the So- 
ciety. He attended the Yearly Meeting in 1845, and again in 
1846, both of which were to his experienced mind seasons of 
deep exercise, under the belief that things were carried in a 
wrong channel, although unable to hear what was said. Truly 
his spiritual vision was yet clear, and that ear, long acquainted 
with the voice of the True Shepherd, was open to His teach- 
ings. 

He believed it right to keep, by writing, some account of the 



388 TESTIMONY. 

religious services and exercises that he from time to time had 
passed through in his pilgrimage, but from negligence or the 
infirmities of age, it was with great difficulty he could use the 
pen ; and he had omitted, for some years, to continue the ac- 
count. 

Feeling uneasy in regard to these omissions, he, at the sug- 
gestion of his wife, in the summer of 1845, brought his writings 
within the limits of this meeting, for assistance in taking down 
additional accounts and the regulation of some partially done, 
and feeling easy with their present location, he placed them 
the following winter, by writing, in the hands of two of our 
members with instructions not to suffer them, after his decease, 
to fall into the hands of any who would destroy or cause them 
to pass into oblivion, or into the hands of any persons who have 
supported, or who may support either Elias Hicks or Joseph 
John Gurney, or advocate either of their peculiar tenets, feeling 
an assurance that some parts of them are in opposition to the 
doctrines propogated by the former, and many of those writ- 
ten by the latter. He farther requested that if it became nec- 
essary, by reason of death or otherwise, to place them with 
some other person, that those who witnessed "this procedure" 
the survivor or survivors of them, should place them in the 
hands of some sound, substantial Friend or Friends. 

His remained to be a tribulated path ; he was censured for 
his faithful opposition to those unsound views, and the misrule 
in support of them which were agitating Society on the one 
hand, and on the other frequent were the reports that he had 
changed his views respecting them ; on being informed of the 
latter, he requested that when such statements were made, they 
might be contradicted on his behalf; at onetime when inform- 
ed of these reports being much spread abroad, he showed deep 
regret that such efforts should be used to make him appear dif- 
ferent from what he was, and wept at the injustice done him. 

The last time he attended this meeting was about the 1st of 
9th month, 1846. Having endeavored to place on paper some 
statements to leave as a testimony in refutation of the many incor- 



TESTIMONY. 389 

i'ect reports relative to a change in his views in regard to what 
was transpiring in Society, he came amongst us to obtain some 
assistance, that they might appear more legible than he could 
make them. This being accomplished, he expressed that he 
now felt satisfied with his writings, and easy to leave them, and 
soon returned to his own habitation, and finished his course on 
the 2 1st of 1 1th month following, in his 85th year. During his 
last illness, of about five weeks continuance, he conversed but 
little, though at times observations dropped from his lips deep- 
ly instructive. A few days before his close, he took an affec- 
tionate leave of his wife and other relatives present. 

Prom the knowledge we have of this dear Friend and the 
course he pursued, we feel safe in asserting that through the 
different changes and trials which have befallen our religious 
Society in his time, he adhered to its ancient doctrines, and was 
opposed to all and every innovation upon them. Truly it may 
be said, he "fought the good fight, he kept the faith," and hav- 
ing finished his course, has doubtless received a crown of glory 
that fadeth not away. 

Signed on behalf of Starksboro Monthly Meeting, held the 
4th of 3d month, 1853. James Harkness, ) r] , 

Susannah Hoag, [ ° lem ' 

The foregoing Memorial, from Starksboro Monthly Meeting, 
concerning our beloved Friend, Joseph Hoag, deceased, was 
read in this meeting, and after mature deliberation was approv- 
ed and directed to the Meeting for Sufferings, having the wo- 
men's concurrence therein. 

Signed by direction of Ferrisburg Quarterly Meeting of 
Friends, held at Starksboro the 5th of 5th month, 1853, 

by Amos Battev, Clerk, 



EKRATA. 

Page GQ, 12th line from bottom, th.-e.-e should read these. 

75, 4 lines from bottom, this should read His. 

84, 17th line from top, as should be or. 

90, 4th line from top, toicn should be tour. 
130, 11th line from top, Livingston should be Luningtott. 
146, middle of 12th line from bottom, froze should be tfrat. 
205, 4th line from bottom, member should be ?i> 
272. 17th line from top, /should be r 
275, 7th line from top, another omitted before at theoc .. 
294, 17th line from bottom, and should be that. 



